**North Korea Deploys Troops to Ukraine, Alliance with Russia Grows Stronger**

North Korea is reportedly sending its soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, according to South Korea's defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun. Speaking to South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday, Kim suggested that it was "highly likely" six North Korean officers were killed by a Ukrainian missile strike in Donetsk last week.

Kim stated, "We assess that the occurrence of casualties among North Korean officers and soldiers in Ukraine is highly likely, considering various circumstances." He added that more North Korean soldiers are expected to be dispatched to Russia in the near future. "The relations between Russia and North Korea are evolving to be almost as close as a military alliance," Kim noted. "As such, more North Korean troops could be deployed in the war, from how we look at it."

The defense chief’s remarks confirm Ukrainian reports about North Korean involvement in the conflict. Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Russia and North Korea have strengthened their bilateral ties. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea, where the two nations signed a defense pact, further solidifying their cooperation.

South Korea has accused Pyongyang of becoming a key supplier of weapons to Russia in the ongoing war. North Korea has ramped up its production and testing of artillery and cruise missiles. In March, Russia used its veto power at the United Nations to halt monitoring of North Korea's ballistic missile technology testing, thereby allowing Pyongyang more leeway.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen both nations turning to foreign fighters as they face a declining number of draft-age men. Recently, a Ukrainian drone struck a crucial arms depot inside Russia, about 70 miles from the border, where North Korean-supplied weapons were being stored. Among the arsenal were powerful glide bombs that have significantly impacted civilian areas and Ukrainian defenses.

Additionally, Iran has been supplying missiles to Russia in recent months, according to U.S. defense officials. Russian troops have also been training in Iran on the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, which has a range of up to 75 miles. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended birthday wishes to Putin, calling him his "closest comrade" and boasting that their military alliance would render them "invincible." Kim expressed confidence that Putin would continue to lead "great Russia on the road to victory."

The growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea signals a significant shift in global geopolitics and adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.