South Korea’s intelligence agency reported today that North Korea has likely dispatched additional troops to Russia to bolster its ongoing war against Ukraine. This development follows heavy casualties suffered by North Korean soldiers already deployed on the Russian-Ukrainian frontlines, signaling a deepening military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.
According to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea, the exact scale of the new troop deployment remains unclear, but it marks a continuation of North Korea’s unprecedented involvement in the conflict. The NIS previously estimated that Pyongyang had sent over 11,000 soldiers to Russia, with many stationed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have been engaged in a counteroffensive since August 2024. The fresh deployment is seen as an effort to reinforce Russian positions after reports indicated that North Korean units suffered significant losses due to their unfamiliarity with modern warfare tactics, including drone-heavy combat.
South Korean media outlets, citing the NIS, reported that the additional troops were sent to the battlegrounds in Kursk, a strategically vital area where Russia has been attempting to repel Ukrainian advances. Neither North Korea nor Russia has officially confirmed the latest troop movements, maintaining their stance of ambiguity regarding Pyongyang’s role in the conflict. However, Ukrainian and Western officials have repeatedly highlighted evidence of North Korean military presence, including captured soldiers and recovered documents bearing Korean signatures.
According to reports pouring in from agencies, the deployment comes at a pivotal moment in the war, as Russia and the United States recently agreed to pursue negotiations to end the conflict, following talks in Saudi Arabia last week. Observers speculate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be accelerating military support to Russia in a bid to secure economic aid and advanced weapons technology from Moscow before any potential ceasefire alters the dynamics of their partnership. Analysts warn that such transfers could significantly enhance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, raising alarm in Seoul, Washington, and among their allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that North Korean troops, after a brief withdrawal in January due to heavy casualties, returned to the Kursk frontlines earlier this month. “Russia has once again deployed North Korean soldiers alongside its troops,” Zelenskyy stated in a recent social media post, underscoring the growing international dimension of the war.
The United States, which has shifted its foreign policy stance under President Donald Trump, has faced criticism for aligning with Russia in opposing a UN resolution calling for troop withdrawals. This marks a departure from previous efforts to isolate Moscow over its actions in Ukraine, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
As the conflict approaches its third year, the addition of North Korean forces highlights the increasing desperation of Russia to maintain its military momentum. For North Korea, the war offers a rare opportunity to gain combat experience and strengthen ties with a key ally. However, the high casualty rates reported among its soldiers, estimated at over 3,000 killed or injured by early January, raise questions about the sustainability of Pyongyang’s involvement.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with South Korea and its partners expressing concern over the broader implications of North Korea’s expanding role in the war.