North Korea Confirms Military Involvement in Russia-Ukraine War

North Korea has officially confirmed sending troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine, months after it was first reported by South Korea and Western intelligence.

Key Takeaways

North Korea has publicly acknowledged deploying 11,000-12,000 troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine, marking its first official admission of direct military involvement.
Western intelligence reports suggested at least 1,000 North Korean soldiers were killed in just three months of combat operations.
The deployment follows a mutual defense treaty signed between Putin and Kim Jong Un, with Russia praising the “heroism” of North Korean forces.
South Korea and Western allies have condemned the deployment as illegal under international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
The US and South Korea suggest North Korea could receive military technology and security guarantees from Russia in exchange for its support.

North Korea’s Official Acknowledgment

North Korea has publicly confirmed sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, marking its first official admission of involvement in the conflict. This announcement comes months after intelligence reports from South Korean and Western sources that had previously identified North Korean forces operating in Russia’s Kursk region. This announcement confirms open military cooperation with Moscow against Ukraine, raising questions about escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, have publicly praised what they described as the “heroism” of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine. Putin specifically acknowledged that North Korean special forces had “shoulder to shoulder with Russian fighters, defended our Motherland as their own.” The statement indicates both the scale and significance of North Korea’s military contribution to Russian operations, particularly in contested border areas like Kursk where Ukraine had previously launched counter-offensive operations.

Putin Thanks North Korea for Troop Deployment and Promises Not to Forget Their Sacrifices https://t.co/7nejek4blU

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) April 28, 2025

Casualties and Military Performance

Intelligence reports from Western sources indicate that at least 1,000 North Korean troops were killed in action over just three months of combat operations, suggesting high casualty rates for the foreign contingent. The total North Korean deployment was estimated at between 11,000-12,000 troops, operating primarily under Russian command structures. Despite their significant numbers, questions about their training and combat effectiveness emerged from military analysts following battlefield reports.

However, Ukrainian military commanders have acknowledged the significant battlefield impact of these forces. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi previously stated: “They are numerous. An additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-prepared soldiers who are conducting offensive actions. They operate based on Soviet tactics. They rely on their numbers.”

International Condemnation

The deployment has drawn sharp condemnation from South Korea, the United States, and other Western nations. South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Jeon Ha Gyu explicitly labeled North Korea’s involvement as illegal, stating: “North Korea taking part in the war against Ukraine is certainly an illegal act that violates the United Nations charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions.” The United States has similarly emphasized that North Korea must bear responsibility for perpetuating the conflict through its direct military intervention.

The deployment represents the most significant North Korean military involvement in a foreign conflict since the Korean War. South Korean Ministry of Unification spokesman Koo Byongsam described the deployment as “an act against humanity” that sacrifices young North Koreans while violating international norms. Despite international pressure, North Korea has pledged continued support for Russian military operations and plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang honoring its fallen soldiers.

Strategic Partnership

The military cooperation between North Korea and Russia represents a significant deepening of ties following a summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin last year. Their mutual defense pact appears to have formalized military support arrangements, with North Korea supplying not only troops but also conventional weapons to Russian forces. Some observers have suggested that in return, Pyongyang could seek advanced military technologies and security guarantees from Moscow, potentially strengthening North Korea’s position against international sanctions.

Moscow has claimed it has regained control of the Kursk region with North Korean assistance, though Ukraine disputes this assertion. Intelligence sources indicate North Korean troops are likely to maintain their presence in Russia, suggesting a longer-term military relationship rather than a temporary deployment. The partnership provides Russia with additional manpower while offering North Korea international legitimacy and military benefits outside the sanctions regime that has constrained its capabilities for decades.