South Korean legislators, citing intelligence reports, stated on Wednesday that approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.

According to the lawmakers, North Korea has suffered roughly 4,700 casualties in the conflict, encompassing both fatalities and injuries. However, they noted that some North Korean troops have demonstrated improved combat effectiveness over the past six months through the use of modern weaponry such as drones.

Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, informed reporters after a briefing by the National Intelligence Service that “After six months of participation in the war, the North Korean military has become less inept, and its combat capability has significantly improved as it becomes accustomed to using new weapons such as drones.”

Approximately 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to fight in Ukraine.

Lawmakers reported that Pyongyang agreed to deploy troops and supply weapons to Russia in exchange for technical assistance on spy satellites, drones, and anti-air missiles under a defense treaty signed last year.

Earlier this week, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it had sent troops to fight Ukrainian forces, claiming to have assisted Russia in retaking its Kursk territory previously controlled by Ukraine.

North Korea’s Central Military Commission stated on Monday that Kim Jong Un had dispatched troops to Russia to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area in cooperation with the Russian armed forces.” The commission added that North Korean troops made “an important contribution” to Russia seizing the border territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korea for sending troops and vowed to remember their sacrifices.

“The Russian people will never forget the heroism of the DPRK special forces,” Putin said on Monday. “We will always honor the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, fighting side by side with their Russian brothers in arms.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that Russia could provide military assistance to North Korea if necessary, in accordance with the defense treaty.

The two U.S. adversaries have grown considerably closer in recent years.

Lee also mentioned that the remains of deceased North Korean soldiers were cremated in Kursk before being sent back to North Korea.

Lawmakers, referencing intelligence assessments, believe that North Korea has also sent around 15,000 workers to Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he doubts Putin wants to end the war. Just a day prior, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal.”

Reuters contributed to this report.

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