Ukra Media "Russia Organizes 'Special Battalion' of 3,000 North Korean soldiers" and '18 Deforestation Rumors'

Ukrainian media reported that the Russian military is forming a 3,000-strong battalion-level unit with troops sent by North Korea.

Ukrainian media Kyiv Post and Rignette quoted their military sources as saying on the 15th local time that the Russian military had organized a "Special Battalion in Buryat" consisting of North Korean soldiers in the 11th Airborne Charge Brigade.

The battalion is expected to have about 3,000 troops, currently receiving small arms and ammunition, and could be deployed to the Russian mainland's Kursk province, where Ukrainian forces invaded in August, Rignet added.

A source at the intelligence bureau of Ukraine's Defense Ministry told the Kyiv Post that North Korea is providing large-scale aid to make up for Russia's loss of troops, as well as weapons and equipment.

Meanwhile, there were reports that North Korean troops who had already been deployed to the battlefield had deserted.

Citing sources, Ukraine's Prouda said 18 North Korean soldiers had left the unit 7km from the border between Kursk and Bryansk provinces and the Ukrainian border.The media outlet

claimed that Russian forces had begun a search operation but were trying to hide the desertion at the top.

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that six North Korean soldiers were included among more than 20 Russian soldiers killed in a missile attack on the Donetsk front on the 3rd.

The Kyiv Post said it is likely that the dead North Korean military was sent to manage the quality of ammunition and other items provided to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently claimed that North Korean troops were deployed to the battlefield, but Russia dismissed the rumor of sending North Korean troops as "fake news."