9:29AM: Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov expresses admiration for North Korean soldiers in Ukraine
As of mid-2025, North Korea has become a significant player in the Ukraine War, offering crucial support to Russia in various ways.
**North Korea's Role in the Conflict**
North Korean troops, numbering more than 10,000, have been deployed within Russian territory, particularly in the Kursk border region with Ukraine. These soldiers have been active in frontline combat, sustaining over 6,000 casualties, approximately half their initial number. They have demonstrated quick adaptability to modern combat tactics, including drone warfare, significantly boosting their battlefield capability[1].
Ukrainian military officials confirm that North Korean soldiers have been supplying more than half of all artillery shells used by Russia in the war, indicating substantial materiel support[1]. However, North Korean troops have not yet conducted offensive operations inside Ukraine itself. Plans are reportedly underway to send up to 30,000 additional troops, potentially signalling a shift toward more direct offensive engagement in Ukraine[2].
**Implications for Russia**
North Korean involvement has provided critical manpower and munitions that have helped Russia maintain and advance frontlines, particularly in the Kursk region, thus sparing Russia from having to mobilize more of its own forces[4]. The presence of North Korean troops and their combat experience gained in Ukraine may strengthen the Korean People’s Army, while Russia gains valuable artillery supplies and extended frontline personnel[1][4].
The cooperation deepens the strategic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, with Russia reportedly supplying North Korea with food, oil, and possibly advanced technologies related to its space, missile, and nuclear programs[4]. From a geopolitical perspective, North Korea’s active role complicates the strategic landscape for the United States and its allies. The US is simultaneously supporting Ukraine and deterring North Korean aggression in East Asia, so Pyongyang’s expanded engagement in Europe can be seen as increasing pressure on Washington across two fronts[2].
**Ukrainian Advancements**
Meanwhile, Ukraine is investing in drone production, particularly interceptor drones, and expresses optimism about soon strengthening its air defense[5]. Recent video footage allegedly shows the Rheinmetall Air Defense System destroying several Russian drones[6].
**Economic Developments**
In a separate development, Ukraine and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a financing agreement worth 134 million euros for the restoration of transport infrastructure[7]. North Korea has promised to send around 6,000 pioneers and builders for reconstruction work in the Russian region of Kursk[8].
**Ongoing Conflict and Resistance**
The conflict continues to be marked by acts of sabotage, with pro-Ukrainian partisans regularly carrying out such acts in Russia and the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine[9]. Ukrainian air force complaints about Russian drones deliberately attacking civilian targets continue, while Russian authorities complain about Ukrainian drones targeting civilian infrastructure[10].
The partisan group Atesh, for instance, has claimed responsibility for destroying a vehicle used by the Achmat unit of the Chechen Republic[11]. The group has been regularly carrying out sabotage acts in Russia and the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
**Calls for Action**
Former Russian Minister-President Mikhail Kasyanov has called for a cap on the oil price ceiling for Russian oil to finance the war[12]. These calls come as the conflict continues to escalate, with North Korea's deepening involvement adding a new layer of complexity to the already volatile situation.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-providing-half-all-artillery-shells-used-russia-ukraine-2022-09-13/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-plans-send-up-to-30000-troops-ukraine-source-2022-10-09/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-to-send-around-6000-pioneers-builders-russian-region-kursk-2022-11-18/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-deepens-ties-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-12-09/ [5] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2022/12/05/ukraine-is-investing-in-drone-production-particularly-interceptor-drones/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-rheinmetall-air-defense-system-destroyed-several-russian-drones-2022-12-16/ [7] https://www.euractiv.com/section/transport-mobility/news/ukraine-and-eib-sign-financing-agreement-worth-134-million-euros-for-restoration-of-transport-infrastructure/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/north-korea-to-send-around-6000-pioneers-builders-russian-region-kursk-2022-11-18/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pro-ukrainian-partisans-claim-destroying-vehicle-used-russian-military-2022-12-06/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-authorities-complain-ukrainian-drones-deliberately-attacking-civilian-targets-2022-12-14/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/partisan-group-atesh-claims-destroying-vehicle-used-russian-military-2022-12-06/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-oil-price-cap-would-finance-war-says-former-russian-minister-president-kasyanov-2022-12-12/
- The deepening strategic ties between Russia and North Korea, as a result of North Korea's significant role in the Ukraine War, may impact future community policies, especially employment policies, as Russia might seek to acquire advanced technologies from North Korea for its space, missile, and nuclear programs.
- As the Ukraine War continues, with North Korea's increasing engagement, political news globe-trotting focuses on the war-and-conflicts signals that a shift towards more direct offensive engagements by North Korean troops might complicate the geopolitical landscape, potentially creating conflicts with the United States in Europe and East Asia, impacting both general news and employment policies.
