North Korea could deploy up to 30,000 additional troops to reinforce Russian forces in Ukraine in exchange for advanced missiles and military technology, experts have told The i Paper.

North Korea is set to treble the number of its troops fighting for Russia along the front lines with Ukraine, sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to assist Moscow, according to an intelligence assessment from Ukrainian officials.

This assessment is partly based on recent reports from South Korea, which indicated that Pyongyang might send additional troops to Russia as early as July or August