### North Korean Troops Trained in Russia for Deployment to Ukraine

North Korean soldiers have been recorded receiving uniforms and equipment at a training facility in Russia's far east, lending credence to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports that 1,500 soldiers have been sent for military training to be deployed in Ukraine. This development signifies a strengthening of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.

A video obtained by CNN from the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security shows a long queue of North Korean soldiers collecting their uniforms. Although the low-quality audio makes their conversations unclear, the soldiers appear to be speaking in Korean. Upon arrival in Russia, the North Korean recruits were reportedly asked to complete a questionnaire for sizing their uniforms and gear. The form, shared with CNN, features instructions in both Russian and Korean.

Additional footage circulating on social media, which CNN verified as being from the Sergeevka Training Ground near Russia's border with China, depicts the arrival of these troops. In the background of the video, a Russian speaker is heard advising against filming the soldiers and then exclaiming about the large numbers present.

These developments have heightened Kyiv's concerns about North Korea’s increasing involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has continually warned about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. At a recent NATO summit, Zelensky revealed that thousands of North Korean troops are headed to Russia, estimating that up to 10,000 soldiers, including technical personnel and land forces, are being prepared.

South Korean media also reported that North Korea plans to send a total of 12,000 troops, although this figure has not been officially confirmed by the national intelligence service. This potential deployment would mark North Korea’s most significant intervention in an international conflict. Despite having a military force of 1.2 million, many North Korean soldiers lack combat experience.