Translated material
South Korean intelligence announced the preparation of the second batch of DPRK special forces for shipment to Russia
The DPRK is preparing to send a new batch of military personnel to Russia to prepare for participation in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, Bloomberg writes, citing South Korean intelligence data.
The first group of 1,500 special forces soldiers is already undergoing training, and a total of 10,000 troops are planned to be deployed. According to intelligence data, preparations in parts of Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Blagoveshchensk will take about a month, after which the military will be sent to the front line. First, soldiers must obtain false documents from natives of the eastern regions of Russia.
Vladimir Putin did not refute reports of the transfer of military personnel from the DPRK to Russia, which were accompanied by the publication of satellite images. “Pictures are a serious thing. If there are pictures, it means they reflect something,” he said, speaking at a press conference following the BRICS summit.
North Korea could supply more weapons to Russia than previously reported
South Korea also gave its assessment of the scale of arms supplies from the DPRK to Russia: Pyongyang sent approximately 8 million 122 mm and 152 mm shells, about 100 missiles, as well as anti-tank systems. According to a Bloomberg source, this is significantly more than some European estimates of the volume of North Korean arms supplies to Russia. In June, The Washington Postreported that North Korea sent about 1.6 million artillery shells to Russia from August last year to January 2024. The Times estimates that North Korean shells make up about half of all the ammunition Russia uses in Ukraine—about 3 million a year.
NATO's response will be limited
South Korea will present a detailed report to NATO officials on Monday, two sources familiar with the situation said. The alliance's options for response are limited but could include increased support for Ukraine and strengthened partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.