1,500 North Korean Special Forces Arrive in Russia Undercover on Russian Frigates, Says South Korea

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that North Korea already deployed 1,500 special forces troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, South Korean outlet Yonhap reported on October 18.

These soldiers have reportedly arrived in Russia. It marks the first large-scale deployment of North Korean ground troops.

According to the South Korean intelligence agency, they “detected the transport of North Korean special forces to Russian territory using Russian naval transport ships,” confirming the start of North Korea’s military involvement.

South Korean intelligence reported that the 1,500 North Korean soldiers were transported to Russian Vladivostok from areas around Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan, utilizing 4 Russian landing ships and 3 frigates. A second transport operation is expected soon.

“North Korea is expected to send approximately 12,000 troops to the war in Ukraine, including four brigades of elite special operations forces, the 11th Army Group, and the so-called 'Storm Corps',” a source from South Korean intelligence said.

The North Korean forces are currently stationed at Russian military bases in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk. Once they complete their acclimatization training, they are expected to be deployed to the front lines.

Ukrainian OSINT-analyst team Cyber Boroshno revealed that video, released earlier showing North Korean troops exercising in Russia was filmed in Sergeevka, Primorsky Krai, Russia.

The troops have been provided with Russian military uniforms, Russian-made weapons, and fake identification documents resembling residents of Yakutia-Buryatia in Siberia, designed to blend in with the local population.

Earlier, NIS revealed that North Korea decided to deploy a significant number of troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.