What we know about N Korea joining Russian war efforts
North Korea has deployed troops, weapons and now, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a war since the 1950s. Here is what is known about the growing military ties.
North Korea has bolstered Russia's military efforts against Ukraine, deploying troops, weapons, and a missile unit, marking a significant military involvement since the 1950s Korean War. According to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a North Korean missile unit comprising about 90 personnel and equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers could be based in Russia's Voronezh region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported in July that Russia aimed to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops and had prepared facilities in Voronezh for their arrival. Initially, Ukrainian, US, and South Korean assessments estimated the deployment at 10,000 to 12,000 troops in late 2024, but later estimates suggested around 14,000 to 15,000 troops in the Kursk region.
North Korean troops have reportedly fought Ukrainian forces in Kursk, with Russian military commander praising their role post-retaking of Kursk territory. Russia has also enlisted 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military construction workers to clear mines and rebuild damaged infrastructure. North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells, ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple-launch rocket systems.
The United States and its allies assert that these troop deployments and arms transfers violate UN Security Council resolutions on North Korea, subjecting Pyongyang to sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
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