Eighteen North Korean soldiers deployed to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine were detained after deserting their posts in Kursk Oblast.

North Korea is reportedly preparing to send around 11,000 troops to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine, with some soldiers already arriving.

The 18 North Korean soldiers were reportedly left in a forested area of Kursk Oblast for several days without food or clear instructions before deserting.

South Korean officials confirmed the transfer of North Korean military personnel to Russia.

The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has included extensive shipments of artillery shells and ballistic missiles from Pyongyang to Moscow.