Overview

• South Korea reports that North Korea deployed an additional 3,000 soldiers to Russia in January and February 2025, bolstering its support for Moscow's war in Ukraine.
• This brings the total number of North Korean troops sent to Russia since late 2024 to over 14,000, despite heavy casualties among earlier deployments.
• North Korean forces have suffered an estimated 4,000 casualties, leading analysts to believe the new deployments aim to compensate for these losses.
• Pyongyang continues to supply Russia with significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, including short-range missiles and rocket launchers.
• The alliance between North Korea and Russia has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Ukraine and its allies calling for increased military aid to counter the growing partnership.