When North Korean troops began arriving in Russia this fall, some Western officials believed it was a sign that the Kremlin had reached out in a desperate need for more soldiers. But U.S. intelligence agencies have now assessed that the deployment was North Korea’s idea and not Russia’s,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region and warned that Pyongyang could send more personnel and equipment for Moscow's army.

North Korea and Russia are deepening their military cooperation, as Pyongyang ramps up the supply of arms to Moscow for its war in Ukraine and receives much needed cash and oil from the Kremlin in return.

North Korean troops have reportedly suffered heavy casualties while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to South Korea's spy agency, which also claimed to have detected signs of Pyongyang preparing to send additional soldiers and kamikaze drones to Moscow.

At least 1,100 North Korean soldiers are reported to have been killed or wounded in Russia’s conflict against Ukraine

North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.

The United States voiced alarm at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that Russia was close to accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea, as Moscow and Pyongyang defended their growing cooperation.

South Korea's military has reported that North Korea is likely to be preparing to deploy additional troops and military equipment to Russia, potentially including kamikaze drones, in support of Moscow's war against Ukraine.

At least 60% of the ammunition Russia uses to strike Ukraine is obtained from North Korea. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), according to Ukrinform. Satellite images show that North Korea is increasingly supplying ammunition to Russia and expanding its weapons production to support the Russian Federation.

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday (Dec 23) that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region and warned that Pyongyang could send more personnel and equipment for Moscow's army.