The first North Korean troops are expected to arrive in Russia’s Kursk region to participate in the ongoing fighting in the region and to protect Russia’s border.

The War Zone reported on this with reference to Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

The first North Korean soldiers will be deployed to the Kursk region and involved in combat operations against the Ukrainian Defense Forces operating in this territory.

“We are waiting for the first units tomorrow (October 23, 2024) in the Kursk sector,” Budanov told The War Zone.

As for how many North Korean soldiers will be sent to this sector and how they will be equipped, Budanov said: “We will see after a couple of days.”

Information about the first North Korean units in the Kursk region began to emerge at a time when South Korea was more serious about providing Ukraine with lethal and heavy weapons and sending military advisors.

Currently, the South Korean government is sounding the alarm about the potential danger to the southern part of the peninsula, as Russia, in exchange for sending troops, may provide the DPRK with modern weapons, including armored vehicles, aircraft, and other types of weapons.

“If the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia continues, South Korea will not stand by but respond firmly in collaboration with the international community,” Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said.

Militarnyi previously reported that North Korea sent military pilots to Russia, who have to learn how to pilot Russian combat aircraft.

Journalist sources also link the arrival of North Korean pilots to possible training on operating new aircraft that Moscow plans to supply to the DPRK.

Training North Korean pilots for new types of aircraft may be a kind of payment by the Russian Federation for the participation of North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine.

As previously reported, the North Korean military started actively preparing to participate in the war after Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the State Duma to ratify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.