In a startling escalation of international military involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a coalition of eleven nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Japan, has reported that North Korea has significantly ramped up its military aid to Russia.

The joint report reveals that North Korea has supplied Russia with at least 100 ballistic missiles, and has also deployed over 11000 troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine. These revelations indicate an unprecedented level of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, and mark North Korea's most direct combat role in a foreign war in modern history.

Ballistic missiles launched into Ukraine

According to the report, the 100 North Korean ballistic missiles were transferred to Russia in 2023. These missiles were then launched into Ukraine with the aim of destroying civilian infrastructure and instilling terror in urban centres such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.

This is a direct violation of international sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations, which prohibits the country from exporting weapons. The use of these missiles in a European war theatre has not only deepened the Russia-North Korea alliance, but also widened the scope of global concern regarding Pyongyang's military outreach.

The missiles reportedly caused significant damage to civilian zones, and satellite imagery has confirmed the destruction of multiple residential and energy infrastructure sites in the targeted Ukrainian cities.

Deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and Ukraine

Perhaps even more alarming is the deployment of over 11000 North Korean troops into eastern Russia in late 2024. The troops were later moved to the Kursk Oblast in western Russia, where they began engaging directly in combat operations alongside Russian forces.

The report cites intelligence from field monitors and international observers, as well as sources quoted in the Wall Street Journal, indicating that these troops were dressed in Russian military uniforms. They had also reportedly undergone combat training with Russian units prior to their deployment to the frontline.

Ukrainian forces have captured at least two North Korean soldiers alive, a development that provides physical evidence of North Korea’s presence in the conflict. Interrogations and forensic analysis are expected to follow.

Confirmation from Moscow and the Russian military

In April 2025, Moscow officially confirmed that North Korean troops are operating in the Kursk region, putting an end to earlier speculation and intelligence leaks. A top-ranking Russian general praised the heroism and professionalism of the North Korean units, stating they played a key role in countering a Ukrainian incursion into the region.

In August 2024, Ukrainian forces had made a surprise advance into the Kursk region, briefly capturing territory before being pushed back. According to Russian military sources, North Korean soldiers were crucial in reclaiming the area, performing well in urban and trench warfare.

Growing defence ties between North Korea and Russia

The strengthening of military ties between Kim Jong Un’s regime and the Kremlin is not a recent development. Since the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war, both leaders have expressed mutual admiration and strategic alignment. Their defence treaty, signed during a high-level meeting, has paved the way for military collaboration, intelligence sharing, and logistics support.

As part of the deal, Russia is helping North Korea evade UN sanctions, particularly those that limit Pyongyang’s access to technology and foreign currency. In return, North Korea has stepped up its military support, including personnel and advanced weaponry.

Russia’s support for North Korea’s military systems

In addition to manpower and missiles, the report details that Russia has supplied North Korea with advanced electronic warfare equipment, including jamming systems. These systems were delivered using Russian military cargo aircraft, indicating a high level of logistical coordination between the two nations.

This equipment is believed to be capable of disabling Ukrainian drones and communications systems, thereby giving Russian and allied North Korean troops a tactical advantage on the battlefield.

Such transfers are considered direct violations of the UN arms embargo, and multiple countries have called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to address the situation.

Global reactions and diplomatic fallout

The new revelations have sparked outrage across Western capitals. US and UK officials have condemned the development as a dangerous internationalisation of the Ukraine conflict, warning that North Korea’s involvement could lead to regional destabilisation in East Asia as well.

Japan and South Korea have expressed concern that North Korea’s external military deployment could embolden it to take militant stances closer to home, particularly on the Korean Peninsula and the Sea of Japan.

The European Union is also reportedly working on a new sanctions package targeting both Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies are expected to track further military cargo movement, satellite activity, and communication traffic between Moscow and Pyongyang.

What this means for Ukraine

For Ukraine, the presence of North Korean troops and weapons presents new battlefield complications. The missiles have already caused damage to civilian morale and infrastructure, while the additional ground troops allow Russia to expand operations in contested zones.

Ukrainian defence officials have said that they are aware of the new threats and are adapting their strategy accordingly. They also noted that capturing enemy soldiers, including foreign nationals, offers an opportunity to gain intelligence on enemy operations and command structures.

Conclusion

The presence of North Korean missiles and military personnel in the Russia-Ukraine war represents a dangerous new phase in the conflict. It is no longer simply a war between Russia and Ukraine, but a theatre for geopolitical alliances and proxy engagements.

With both countries now openly cooperating militarily, and the UN sanctions system being openly defied, global security dynamics are under fresh strain. The coming weeks are likely to see escalated diplomatic efforts, but whether those will lead to containment or further confrontation remains to be seen.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, and more actors join the battlefield directly or indirectly, the situation continues to edge closer toward a broader international conflict—with North Korea now emerging as a major force multiplier for the Kremlin’s war machine.

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