According to South Korean officials, around 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia so far, with indications of preparations for further troop and military equipment deployment. Thousands of North Korean soldiers have already died serving Russia in the Ukraine War.

South Korea’s spy agency said Friday a wounded North Korean soldier who was captured while fighting for Russia against Ukrainian forces has since died from his injuries, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that Russia was trying to "conceal losses" of North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine.