North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has sent a trusted special forces general to Russia to lead Pyongyang’s troops in Ukraine, Kyiv’s intelligence has said.

Tokyo — Thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia are believed to be there to aid Moscow’s war against Ukraine, a massive and unprecedented mobilization of troops by Pyongyang for a faraway war that complements the munitions already provided to Moscow by the regime.

North Korea’s leader is forging an unproven—and even more brazen—path to achieve regime security, advance his country’s nuclear program and win economic relief.