North Korean and Russian leaders affirm their united stance on Ukraine during their phone conversation.
North Korea has significantly increased its military involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, providing substantial support to Russia through the deployment of troops and military equipment.
Since the fall of 2024, Pyongyang has sent approximately 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces, with plans to triple that number to 25,000–30,000 troops in the near future. These North Korean troops have suffered considerable casualties, with about 600 killed and thousands wounded reported by South Korean intelligence.
The North Korean troops are not just manpower. They have also been supplied with artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems, augmenting Moscow’s military capabilities. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, personally praised these troops as a “heroic army,” highlighting the regime’s explicit support for Russian efforts.
This involvement marks a notable escalation in foreign troop contributions to Russia's war effort and underlines a deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in the Ukraine conflict. The reinforcement of thousands of troops, coupled with arms shipments, suggests a strategic partnership where Russia is likely compensating North Korea financially and technologically, potentially in exchange for military technologies that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
The deployment of North Korean military construction workers and deminers to Russia's Kursk region may occur soon, further strengthening this alliance. This cooperation is seen as part of a broader geopolitical alignment and a pragmatic approach by Russia amid ongoing setbacks in the war.
This deepening relationship between North Korea and Russia comes as diplomatic efforts to defuse North Korea's nuclear program have derailed, following a collapsed summit with U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term in 2019. Despite this, Kim Jong Un aims to break out of diplomatic isolation and expand relations with countries confronting Washington.
References: 1. North Korea bolsters military support for Russia in Ukraine war 2. North Korea Sends 15,000 Troops to Russia, Says South Korean Intelligence 3. North Korea sends thousands of troops to support Russia in Ukraine 4. North Korea's military support to Russia in Ukraine war 5. North Korea's military support to Russia in Ukraine war: What we know
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