The Ukrainian intelligence agency reported that Russia has transferred more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers, armed with assault weapons such as AK-12 rifles and mortar shells, to areas near the Ukrainian border.

In a statement on Sunday, the intelligence agency indicated that the soldiers were transported by 28 Russian military transport aircraft.

It confirmed that Moscow has supplied the soldiers with various Russian weapons, and they are currently undergoing training at five different locations in the Russian Far East to support the war in Ukraine.