North Korea may increase western Russia deployment to 50,000 troops, Ukraine intelligence says

Ukraine's military intelligence agency has reported that Russia and North Korea are contemplating a significant troop deployment, potentially involving up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers, to three western Russian regions adjacent to Ukraine. This move, according to a provisional Russian military plan obtained by Ukrainian intelligence, is intended to bolster Russia's military capacity by freeing up its own units for deployment on the front lines.

The intelligence suggests that this increased North Korean presence aims to support Russia's objective of capturing Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, comprising Luhansk and Donetsk, by the end of 2026. Ukraine's military intelligence estimates that Russia suffered over 42,000 killed or wounded soldiers in July alone, highlighting Moscow's need for reinforcements.

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North Korea’s deployment will be increased to 50,000 troops by the end of November to help Russia seize Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, comprising Luhansk and Donetsk, by the end of 2026, according to a provisional Russian military plan obtained by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

This potential deployment follows a strategic partnership pact signed between Russia and North Korea in 2024, which mandates mutual support during emergencies. The report indicates that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have already been deployed to western Russia and have engaged in combat. While many are currently stationed in Kursk, the provisional plan envisions North Korean units taking over primary duties in the Bryansk and Belgorod regions as well.

Furthermore, North Korea has reportedly sent approximately 90 missile troops to Russia's southern Voronezh region and provided an additional 40 ballistic missiles. These missiles may have been used in recent attacks in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukrainian intelligence officials stated that final approval for the troop deployment plan is expected at the leadership level of both countries.

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Russia and North Korea signed a strategic partnership pact in 2024 that stipulates mutual support in times of emergencies.