North Korea may send more troops to Russia in July or August to take part in the war against Ukraine while continuing to supply arms to Russia, North Korean parliamentarians said, citing information they received from the country’s National Intelligence Service.

The NIS believes Russia may be preparing to launch a large-scale attack against Ukraine in July or August, South Korean MP Lee Seong-Kwihun told reporters after the closed-door briefing.

“The additional deployment could take place as early as July or August,” said Lee, who added that the intelligence agency cited a new troop buildup for the deployment by North Korea and the recent visit to Pyongyang by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who on June 17 met with Kim Jong Un at the behest of President Putin.

In exchange for North Korea sending artillery and missile ammunition to Russia, Pyongyang is likely to receive technical advice on satellite launches and missile guidance systems, Lee said , citing the NIS briefing.

After months of silence, North Korea and Russia revealed that North Korean troops were deployed to Ukraine as well as the role they played in Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine to retake the Kursk region.

The two countries have said their cooperation is based on an agreement signed by their leaders last June that includes pacts for mutual defense cooperation.