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.

South Korea's spy agency says North Korea’s planned dispatch of thousands of military construction workers and deminers to Russia’s Kursk region will likely take place as early as July or August.