North Korea Confirms Deployment of Its Troops to Russia

North Korea has officially confirmed sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, calling those who have fought “heroes.”

Quick Takes

Intelligence said late last year that North Korea had deployed 10,000-12,000 troops to Russia under a 2024 mutual defense treaty, with approximately 4,000 already killed or wounded.
Russian President Putin publicly thanked North Korea for its support, praising the “heroism” of North Korean troops.
South Korea condemned the deployment as “an illegal act that violates the United Nations charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions.”
Military experts are divided on North Korean troop effectiveness, with some dismissing them as “barely trained” while Ukraine’s military commander has noted they’ve posed a significant challenge.
The alliance could benefit North Korea through technology transfers advance its missile and nuclear programs.

North Korea Acknowledges Military Role in Ukraine Conflict

North Korea has officially confirmed the deployment of its troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, following previous reports from Western and South Korean intelligence. The announcement confirms intelligence reports that surfaced in October indicating North Korean soldiers were participating in Russia’s war effort. In its statement, North Korea claimed its troops helped “liberate” the Kursk border region, framing their involvement as supporting an ally against outside aggression rather than participating in an invasion. This marks the first time since the Korean War that North Korean troops have been deployed in significant numbers to fight in a foreign conflict.

The deployment follows a mutual defense treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2024, which requires military assistance if either nation is attacked. According to South Korean intelligence estimates, North Korea sent between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia in the fall. Observers have expressed concerns that this could extend beyond the battlefield, potentially including technological exchanges that would benefit North Korea’s weapons programs.

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

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

Putin Praises North Korean “Heroes” as Casualties Mount

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged and thanked North Korea for its military support in the Ukraine war. In statements that further solidified the growing alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, Putin praised what he described as the bravery of North Korean forces. Intelligence reports suggest that despite this praise, North Korean forces have suffered substantial casualties, with approximately 4,000 troops already killed or wounded in combat operations against Ukrainian forces. These losses represent a significant sacrifice for the isolated nation.

“The Russian people will never forget the heroism of the DPRK special forces. We will always honor the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, fighting side by side with their Russian brothers in arms,” Putin said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has similarly praised his nation’s troops fighting in Ukraine, referring to them as “heroes” representing “the honour of the motherland.” North Korea plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang commemorating their soldiers’ contributions to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This public display of military cooperation marks a significant shift in the open nature of the North Korea-Russia relationship, moving from behind-the-scenes weapons transfers to overt battlefield cooperation.

International Condemnation and Military Assessment

South Korea has strongly condemned North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia, calling it a clear violation of international law. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the action violates both the United Nations charter and multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korean officials have urged the immediate withdrawal of North Korean forces and warned of consequences if the military collaboration continues, highlighting the destabilizing effect on international security.

Military experts have offered assessments of North Korean troops’ effectiveness on the battlefield. Former British Army tank commander, Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon described them as “barely trained troops led by Russian officers who they don’t understand.” However, Ukrainian military commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi offered a different evaluation, noting the significant challenge posed by these additional forces. He described them as “numerous” and “highly motivated,” highlighting their reliance on Soviet-era tactics and sheer numbers, which complicate Ukraine’s defensive efforts along an already stretched front line.

The US State Department has expressed concern about North Korea’s involvement, calling for an immediate end to the deployment. This development threatens to further strain relations between Western powers and both Russia and North Korea, potentially leading to additional sanctions or other countermeasures. The military collaboration between these nations presents a troubling evolution in the global security landscape, creating new challenges for NATO and its allies as they navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.