The “Storm Corps” are said to be the “best-trained and best fed” of all the North Korean military and it’s puzzling why Kim, 40, would want to sacrifice some of his

G7 nations say Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops is a sign of desperation as Vladimir Putin looks to plug troop losses

South Korea's UN ambassador says North Korean soldiers will become "cannon fodder" in Ukraine. North Korea is believed to have sent thousands of troops to aid in the Russian war effort. South Korea's prediction echoes what Ukraine and the US have said about Russia's war of attrition.

"If they were kept in their own self-contained units they could be absolutely lethal fighting the Ukrainians. But that's not happening."

Officials in Kyiv told The Financial Times that special forces troops comprise only a small fraction of the 3,000 North Korean soldiers they’ve tracked inbound to Russia’s western Kursk region.

South Korea confirms that some North Korean troops have been sent to Russia's western region near the border with Ukraine

Nearly all would raise their hands to go, ex-military defectors explain, owing to regime loyalty, promise of higher status and a glimpse of the outside world.

The presence of North Korean soldiers alongside Russians fighting Ukraine raises many tactical and military questions, leading some analysts to wonder about their effectiveness and ultimate objectives.