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North Korea to Deploy Troops in Ukraine as Alliance with Russia Deepens

Russia plans to station North Korean soldiers in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, escalating military cooperation and economic ties between the two nations.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.
President Putin and Kim Jong-un met in Pyongyang last year
A wounded North Korean soldier, captured by Ukrainian forces, is seen in this file photo posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's X account on Jan. 12, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Russia is preparing to deploy North Korean troops directly onto Ukrainian territory, marking a significant escalation in their military partnership.
  • North Korea has sent approximately 14,000 troops to support Russian operations, with heavy casualties reported, including 4,000 deaths in the Kursk region.
  • The alliance has generated over $20 billion for North Korea, primarily through munitions shipments and labor agreements, bolstering Pyongyang's economy.
  • North Korean munitions now account for nearly half of Russia's artillery usage in Ukraine, with over 15,800 containers of ammunition shipped since 2023.
  • In exchange for its support, North Korea seeks advanced missile technology and nuclear program assistance from Russia, raising global security concerns.