Seoul: About 2,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia for combat in Ukraine have been estimated to have been killed, as reported by the country's National Intelligence Service (NIS) during a closed-door briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee. This information was shared by lawmakers Reps. Park Sun-won and Lee Seong-kweun with reporters on Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the NIS disclosed that Pyongyang is planning to send an additional 6,000 soldiers to Russia in a third batch of troop deployment to support Moscow's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Already, around 1,000 combat engineers have arrived in Russia. The current North Korean troops are stationed in the "rear front as reserve forces," which raises the possibility of a leadership change among the dispatched troops.

North Korea initially reported sustaining around 350 deaths during the first and second rounds of troop deployment. However, in a briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee in April, the NIS disclosed at least 600 deaths. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun highlighted that the NIS has now increased its estimate to 2,000 deaths following a "comprehensive review" with other countries.

Since October last year, North Korea has committed approximately 13,000 troops, along with conventional weapons, to support Russia in its war efforts against Ukraine.