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

Russia and North Korea are considering a plan to deploy additional North Korean troops to three western Russian regions bordering Ukraine, freeing up Russian units for the frontlines, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Aug 12.



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.



Ukraine believes more than 42,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in July and Moscow is seeking reinforcements from North Korea to continue the war.



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



More than 10,000 North Korean troops have deployed to western Russia so far and engaged in battle with Ukrainian forces.



While most were deployed in Kursk, the provisional plan envisions North Korean units taking on most duties in Bryansk and Belgorod as well.



Russia and North Korea are expected to give final approval for the plan at the level of their leaders, a Ukrainian intelligence official said.