Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region and warned that Pyongyang could send more personnel and equipment for Moscow's army.

North Korean troops have now entered Russia’s war with Ukraine in a major way, and some have been killed, Western officials say.

North Korea and Russia are deepening their military cooperation, as Pyongyang ramps up the supply of arms to Moscow for its war in Ukraine and receives much needed cash and oil from the Kremlin in return.

South Korea's military said on Monday it has detected signs of North Korea preparing to send more troops and weapons, including suicide drones, to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

North Korean troops have reportedly suffered heavy casualties while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to South Korea's spy agency, which also claimed to have detected signs of Pyongyang preparing to send additional soldiers and kamikaze drones to Moscow.

North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.

At least 1,100 North Korean soldiers are reported to have been killed or wounded in Russia’s conflict against Ukraine

According to analysts from the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, the Russian Federation Army may acquire new weaponry from North Korea. They highlighted the transport of mysterious weapons spotted in the Tyumen region of Russia.