North Korea to send 'large number' of military engineers to occupied Donetsk

South Korea expects a large number of North Korean engineering forces to be deployed.

The North Korean military has ten engineering brigades, and TV Chosun estimated that North Korea could receive up to $115 million annually from Russia to send three to four engineering brigades to Ukraine.

Putin's visit to North Korea

Russian dictator Putin arrived in Pyongyang on June 18 for the first time since 2000 to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Putin and Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement to expand economic and military cooperation and strengthen a "united front" against the USA.

White House spokesman John Kirby expressed concern about deepening relations between Russia and North Korea, particularly regarding its impact on the war in Ukraine and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The Pentagon also stated that increased cooperation between the two pariah states is a "cause for concern."