Russia Training 12,000 North Korean Troops, Including Special Forces, for Ukraine Deployment by November 1

Oct 18, 2024, 09:46 AM

Russia is reportedly forming special battalions consisting of up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including special forces, to bolster its military operations in Ukraine amid a manpower shortage caused by heavy casualties. According to Ukrainian media and intelligence sources, including Defense Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, these troops are training at Russian military bases in the Far East, such as Sergeevka in Primorsky Krai, Khabarovsk, Usuriysk, Blagoveshchensk, and Vladivostok. South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports that 1,500 North Korean special forces were transported to Vladivostok by Russian navy ships between October 8 and 13. Videos have surfaced online allegedly showing North Korean soldiers training in Russia. The North Korean troops are expected to be deployed to regions such as Kursk by November 1 to assist in pushing Ukrainian forces back.