Russia provided North Korea with missiles and military aid in exchange for deploying 10,900 troops to support its war in Ukraine, some of whom have reportedly engaged in combat, according to South Korean officials.

South Korea’s National Security Adviser, Shin Won-sik, has stated that Russia provided North Korea with anti-aircraft missiles and air defense equipment in exchange for North Korean troops supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

In an interview with South Korean broadcaster SBS aired on Friday, Shin explained that North Korea also received economic aid and military technology from Russia. He suggested that the equipment was intended to bolster North Korea’s weak air defense systems. Additionally, Shin noted that Russia appeared to have shared military technology to assist Pyongyang’s satellite program, following North Korea’s failed spy satellite launch earlier this year.

According to South Korean lawmakers, approximately 10,900 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk as part of Russia’s airborne and marine units fighting Ukrainian forces. Some of these troops have reportedly already engaged in combat, based on information from South Korea’s intelligence agency.

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