Kiev, Ukraine — A video showing dozens of North Korean recruits lining up to pick up Russian military fatigues has been released by Ukrainian officials, who say it shows the introduction of troops sent by Pyongyang into the conflict.

The video, published by the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, which operates under the Ministry of Culture and Information, reportedly shows North Korean soldiers lining up to collect bags, clothes and other clothing from Russian soldiers. The Associated Press could not independently verify the video.

“We received this video from our own source. We cannot provide additional verification from the sources who provided this to us due to security concerns,” said Ihor Solovey, the head of the center.

“The video clearly shows North Korean citizens being given Russian uniforms under the direction of the Russian military,” he said. “For Ukraine, this video is important because it is the first video evidence showing North Korea participating in the war on Russia’s side. Now not only with weapons and grenades, but also with personnel.”

The center claims the images were taken in recent days by a Russian soldier. It is not stated how the images were obtained. The location is unknown.

It comes after the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, claimed in local media that around 11,000 North Korean infantrymen were currently training in eastern Russia. He predicted that they would be ready to fight in November. At least 2,600 would be sent to Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an incursion in August, he said.

“The emergence of any number of new soldiers is a problem because we will simply need new, additional weapons to destroy them all,” Solovey told AP. “The circulation of this video is important as a signal to the world community that with two countries officially at war against Ukraine, we will need more support to deter this aggression.”

The presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, if true, would be further evidence of intensified military ties between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Last summer they signed a strategic partnership treaty that obliges both countries to provide military assistance. North Korean weapons have already been used in the war in Ukraine.