North Korea appears to have sent at least 3,000 more soldiers to Russia early this year, South Korea’s military said Thursday, demonstrating Pyongyang’s continued support for Moscow’s war on Ukraine as world leaders push for an end to the three-year conflict.

Russia and North Korea will soon begin construction of a road bridge over the Tumen river between the two countries, Russia's ambassador to Pyongyang was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA. The bridge was agreed during a visit by President Vladimir Putin to North Korea in 2024 when the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.

The reinforcements for Russia’s war in Ukraine brought the number of North Korean troops deployed to about 11,000, according to an assessment by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.