Ukraine has been hit by a surge in Russian ballistic missile attacks, about a third of which used North Korean weapons that can only fly because they run on Western circuitry, obtained despite sanctions,

Pyongyang has long coveted an advanced air-defense system to guard against missiles and war planes from the United States and South Korea.

North Korea condemned on Saturday recent joint military drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan, warning that it would take immediate actions if needed to defend the state. Last week, the three countries held a three-day joint exercise,

The U.S., South Korea and others say North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

A top South Korean official says Russia has supplied anti-air missiles to North Korea in exchange for it sending troops

The United States expects that thousands of North Korean troops massing in Russia will "soon" enter combat against Ukraine, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Saturday. About 10,000 North Korean soldiers were believed to be based in the Russian border region of Kursk,

Russia provided North Korea with missiles in exchange for sending troops to Ukraine, according to a senior South Korean official.

Kremlin dispatched weapons as payment for 10,000 troops deployed to support war in Ukraine, says South Korean official