North Korea has deployed thousands of troops and millions of artillery shells to aid Russia's war effort against Ukraine as military cooperation deepens between Pyongyang and Moscow, sparking alarm in Europe and East Asia.
Here is a selection of stories to bring you up to date on the latest developments.
North Korea moves 8,000 troops to Ukraine border, U.S. say
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that as many as 8,000 of the approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers in Russia are in Kursk, on the border with Ukraine, and may engage in combat in the coming days.
Blinken said that this is the first time in 100 years that Russia has invited foreign troops into the country. Read more.
North Koreans fighting for Russia points to China's waning clout
China appears to be cautiously watching for developments on the deployment, as Beijing's options are complicated by its Moscow partnership and cooling ties with Pyongyang. The deployment could heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of East Asia, posing a geopolitical challenge for China. Read more.
China and North Korea boost Russian military ties to uncharted levels
Moscow is helping both China and North Korea enhance their military capabilities in return for their support in the war in Ukraine -- a quid pro quo that could trigger a chain reaction of conflicts around the world. Read more.
North Korea remains silent to citizens on Ukraine war deployment
Domestically, North Korea appears to be keeping a lid on reports that its troops have been deployed to Russia. Read more.
North Korea sends more than 9m artillery shells to Russia, South says
North Korea has already shipped more than 9 million artillery shells to Russia, according to South Korean intelligence estimates. Meanwhile, analysis of the debris of North Korean missiles used in Ukraine indicates that Pyongyang is using components manufactured in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, the South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency said. Read more.
North Korean soldiers to face drones, doubts in Ukraine war debut
While North Korean soldiers are preparing to join Russia's war against Ukraine, there are still doubts over how effective the troops will be in combat. Read more.
