For the first time, Russia has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean soldiers in its war against Ukraine. In a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Chief of General Staff praised the “bravery” and “heroism” of North Korean fighters involved in operations to retake the Kursk region, hailing their professionalism and resilience in repelling Ukrainian forces.
The participation of North Korean forces marks a pivotal shift in the trajectory of the Ukraine war—both militarily and geopolitically. For some, it underscores a weakening Russian military, which despite recent battlefield gains, is seen as increasingly dependent on external allies amid dwindling domestic support. Others interpret it as the dawn of a new Cold War-style alignment, with Russia positioning itself as a rival to China for influence over Asia’s rogue states.
Russia and North Korea significantly deepened their military cooperation since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022, culminating in a mutual defense pact signed in 2024, which commits both parties to immediate military assistance if either is attacked.
Why Does Russia Need North Korean Soldiers?
North Korea is reported to have deployed 11,000 troops to the Kursk region in late 2024. According to South Korean military intelligence, an additional 3,000 troops were sent in January and February 2025. Western and South Korean sources speculate that this reinforcement was partially due to heavy casualties among North Korean forces, with an estimated 4,000 losses (killed or wounded) already incurred. This number underscores a genuine manpower shortage in Russia’s military ranks.
Public resistance to conscription remains high in Russia. The Kremlin’s 2022 mobilization of 300,000 reservists triggered a mass exodus of Russian citizens abroad. With domestic recruitment growing increasingly difficult, the Kremlin has resorted to incentivizing foreign fighters, including offering citizenship in exchange for military service, while cracking down on deserters with punitive measures.
Defense analyst Gustav Gressel argues that Russia’s military reserves are stretched thin—including units stationed near NATO borders—because many officers and professionals have been redeployed to Ukraine. He estimates Russia requires 30,000 new soldiers to replenish losses. Even generous cash bonuses and increased salaries have not significantly bolstered volunteer numbers.
In this context, turning to North Korean guest soldiers is “logically consistent,” Gressel contends, especially as elite units from Pyongyang are reportedly among those being trained in Russia.
How Do North Korean Troops Help the Russian Military?
Experts identify three main categories of North Korean units that could assist Russian forces:
- Engineering and Construction Corps: These units are valuable for building rear-line infrastructure—underground storage, fortifications, bridges, and roads. Their language cohesion and familiarity with harsh conditions make them ideal for such roles.
- Artillery Units: North Korea boasts over 20,000 artillery systems, including mortars and long-range guns. If deployed with their own equipment and ammunition, these units could relieve Russia’s heavily strained artillery logistics.
- Infantry Support: Given their limited combat experience (the Korean War being their last major engagement), North Korean soldiers are more suited for defensive and support positions, freeing up seasoned Russian troops for frontline offensives.
Reports also indicate the arrival of elite North Korean special forces, including General Kim Yong-bok, head of North Korea’s special operations forces. Ukrainian sources claim these forces are embedded with Russia’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade in Kursk and are receiving training in drone warfare and reconnaissance.
Despite the potential benefits, lack of joint operations experience, communication issues, and the high-intensity nature of warfare in Ukraine—especially in terms of drone use, electronic warfare, and complex artillery battles—pose significant challenges to operational efficiency.
Why Is North Korea Sending Troops?
Pyongyang has a large pool of conscripts and faces severe economic constraints due to Western sanctions. Sending troops serves both financial and strategic goals. North Korea has already benefited from arms sales to Russia, reportedly worth between $2 to $5 billion. Additionally, with an estimated $2,500 in annual compensation per soldier, Pyongyang could earn $250 million annually by deploying 10,000 troops.
Beyond monetary gains, North Korea seeks:
- Military technology access, including expertise in missiles, space systems, and nuclear capabilities.
- Combat experience for its largely untested troops, especially valuable in the context of its unresolved standoff with South Korea.
- Deeper alignment with Russia, positioning itself as a key partner in the emerging bloc opposed to U.S. influence.
Geopolitical Fallout and Global Implications
Under the Biden administration, direct North Korean military involvement in Ukraine would have likely triggered stronger U.S. responses and increased support for Kyiv. But under President Donald Trump, Washington has pursued a policy of appeasement toward Putin, prioritizing a peace deal even if it favors Russian interests. This was partly driven by Trump’s desire to neutralize Russia in preparation for a potential conflict with China in East Asia.
However, North Korea’s deployment—and reports of possible Chinese military support for Russia—suggest that Moscow is not willing to sacrifice its strategic alliances with Pyongyang, Beijing, or even Tehran. This could force a shift in Washington’s approach.
European governments remain cautious, waiting for U.S. leadership before escalating their involvement. Yet the growing complexity of the conflict might push Western powers to ramp up military aid to Ukraine, especially as Russia’s coalition grows.
In response, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador in protest and demanded the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops. Seoul has hinted at a coordinated international response, citing a serious threat to regional security.
Some analysts warn that North Korean involvement in Ukraine may embolden Pyongyang to initiate hostilities against South Korea, potentially with Russian backing. This includes sharing missile, space, and surveillance technology. South Korea, a top global arms producer, could in turn become a major military supplier to Ukraine, particularly given its extensive ammunition stockpiles—unlike Western Europe, which has depleted its reserves.
According to Gressel, South Korea possesses over 11,000 artillery systems and 30 million artillery shells, making it a potential game-changer if fully mobilized to aid Ukraine.
China’s reaction remains a wild card. Analysts suggest that Beijing may view deepening Russian-North Korean ties as undermining its own influence over Pyongyang. While China officially maintains neutrality in Ukraine and proposed a peace plan in 2023, the growing Moscow-Pyongyang axis could disrupt its regional strategy.
Researcher Maria Snegovaya (Center for Strategic and International Studies) argues that North Korea’s deployment may be less about Russian desperation and more about the emergence of a “disruption axis” uniting Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. In this sense, the battlefield in Ukraine could serve as a training ground for North Korean forces ahead of future regional conflicts.
Conclusions
- North Korea’s official military involvement in Ukraine represents a strategic turning point, internationalizing the conflict and potentially expanding it into a multi-front confrontation.
- Russia’s reliance on foreign troops reflects deep recruitment challenges, battlefield losses, and public reluctance among Russians to serve.
- Pyongyang benefits from the war through lucrative arms deals, combat training, and access to sensitive Russian technology.
- This new alignment complicates the strategic calculus for the U.S. and Europe, potentially accelerating military aid to Ukraine while raising the stakes in the global East-West rivalry.
- Despite numerical gains, the inexperience and limited interoperability of North Korean troops may hinder their battlefield performance and increase casualty rates.
