North Korea is sending additional personnel to support Russia’s military operations, including about 400 members skilled in drone operations, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said on August 21, 2026. Deputy head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, said about 8,500 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, mostly deployed in the Kursk region. The force reportedly includes about 1,000 engineers and mine-clearance personnel.

Skibitskyi said many drone operators in the new contingent gained experience through earlier deployments or training and could be used to observe and strike targets inside Ukraine. He assessed that North Korean troops were unlikely to fight directly on Ukrainian territory, but could reinforce rear-area positions in Russia, freeing Russian forces for frontline attacks. Ukrainian intelligence says about 25,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to or rotated through Russia so far.

Ukraine also alleges North Korea has supplied ballistic missiles and personnel supporting missile launches in Russia’s Voronezh region. Skibitskyi said Pyongyang seeks advanced air-defence technology in exchange for manpower and equipment, including Russia’s S-400 system, and has already received a Pantsir-1 system.