Description: Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Chief, General Kyrylo Budanov has warned of raised level of presence by North Korean troops and weapons on Ukrainian territory since they were first encountered. He noted that ever since Russia and North Korea signed the cooperation agreement in Jun 2024, cruise missiles, self-propelled artillery guns and multiple – launch rocket systems were captured on the front in the Kursk region. Reports from Ukrainian soldiers also stated that the North Korean troops were easily adaptable to the unfamiliar terrain and were highly trained.
Impact: Increased military equipment and troop presence from North Korea could severely impact the day – to – day fighting in the Kursk region as would enable Russia to relocate more prioritized military assets in strategically more important regions. With Ukraine scrambling for support from EU, NATO and the US, Russia could utilize the dissolution in the ranks to push a more comprehensive ground offensive elsewhere. Ukraine should look to secure equipment and enlarge intelligence gathering operations since the North Korean military modus operandi is highly unfamiliar to European armies.