The Russian military is delivering mercenaries from North Korea to the frontline in trucks with civilian licence plates. This became known from a radio interception received by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

According to the information, on 27 October, Russian police officers stopped a KamAZ truck with civilian licence plates on the Kursk-Voronezh highway. The trailer contained North Korean military personnel who were to join the ranks of the 810th Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Navy.

The driver of the KAMAZ truck did not have a combat order or other documents, which raised questions among the brigade commanders. They tried to find out whether the truck belonged to their unit and why the driver did not have the proper papers.

This case confirms Russia’s use of military assistance from North Korea, as well as the fact that Moscow is circumventing sanctions by attracting additional resources to continue its aggression against Ukraine.