Satellite images show North Korean special forces sent to Russia disguised as Russian soldiers with fake IDs, South Korean spies say

The NIS has a mixed record when it comes to its assessments of the highly secretive North Korea. Russia has denied claims that Pyongyang’s troops are fighting on behalf of the country.

The new developments come as North Korea and Russia have strengthened their defense ties during the Ukraine war, with the two countries signing a pact in June that pledges military assistance if either is attacked.

North Korea has been providing Russia with weapons throughout the war. On Friday, the NIS said it assessed that Pyongyang has sent Moscow missiles, artillery shells, and anti-tank rockets in dozens of deliveries since August 2023.

Ukraine has noted the use of North Korean weapons against civilian targets, and Kyiv has even used long-range drones to strike arsenals inside Russia where munitions sent by Pyongyang were determined to be stored.

Beyond North Korea, Russia has also turned to fellow pariah state Iran for military assistance during the Ukraine war. Tehran has provided Moscow with lethal attack drones and, more recently, short-range ballistic missiles.