Two thousand North Korean soldiers have joined Russian units, being deployed with a Marine Brigade and an Airborne Division to actively engage in combat, with another 9,000 more in reserve.

Andriy Chernyak, a representative of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR), told Radio Svoboda that while these forces are likely not on the front lines, they still contribute to the aggression against Ukraine, assisting in the killing of Ukrainian soldiers.

"Perhaps they are not on the front line. Perhaps they are not on the advanced positions, but they still contribute to the aggression against Ukraine and the killing of Ukrainian service members," Chernyak said.