Grapevine

North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Seoul

South Korean defence minister says ‘highly likely’ North Korean soldiers were killed in recent attack by Ukrainian forces.

North Korean soldiers appear to be fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, according to Seoul’s defence minister.

Kim Yong-hyun told South Korean politicians on Tuesday that it was “highly likely” that six North Korean officers were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike near Donetsk on October 3, as reported by Ukrainian media last week.

The suggestion comes amid strengthening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea has rebuffed accusations that it is supplying arms to Russia’s forces for use in its invasion of Ukraine.

“We assess that the occurrence of casualties among North Korean officers and soldiers in Ukraine is highly likely, considering various circumstances,” Kim said, adding that Seoul expects Pyongyang to send more troops to support Russia’s war effort.