North Korea sends 1,500 special forces units to support Russia in Ukraine

North Korea has sent a contingent of 1,500 special forces to Russia’s Far East to support Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). The troops, already in Russia, are undergoing training and are expected to join the front lines soon, the NIS reported Friday.

The move has drawn sharp reactions internationally, with Ukraine calling for a strong response from European and U.S. allies. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the deployment as a sign of “desperation” on Russia’s part, while French officials expressed concern over the growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

According to the NIS, satellite imagery confirmed the transportation of North Korean soldiers to Vladivostok via Russian military vessels between October 8 and 13. The elite unit, reportedly from North Korea’s Special Operations Forces, known as the “Storm Corps,” is stationed in military bases across Russia’s Far East. The soldiers have been outfitted with Russian military uniforms and weapons, a move seen by Seoul as an attempt to disguise their true identity.

The NIS stated that the North is likely to send additional troops, estimating that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers could eventually be deployed. “A second transport operation is expected to take place soon,” the agency said.

Ukraine condemned the deployment. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga urged the international community to respond decisively, accusing North Korea of supporting Russian aggression with both weapons and personnel. “North Korea is aiding Russian aggression against Ukraine with weapons and personnel,” Sybiga said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called an emergency security meeting Friday, calling North Korea’s actions “a significant security threat not only to our country but also to the international community.”

While NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance could not yet confirm the involvement of North Korean troops, he noted that the situation could evolve. “At this moment, our official position is that we cannot confirm reports that North Koreans are actively now as soldiers engaged in the war effort,” Rutte said.

North Korea’s support for Russia’s war effort extends beyond troops. Since August, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with over 13,000 containers of artillery shells, missiles, and other lethal equipment, according to the NIS.