North Korean Troops Enter in Ukraine For Fight
In a startling development, North Korea has joined Russia's fight in Ukraine, sending troops into the battlefield for the first time. According to senior Ukrainian and U.S. officials, North Korean soldiers have engaged directly with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, a significant territory Ukraine has held since launching an incursion there in the summer. This unexpected move signals a new, unpredictable phase in the Ukraine war, bringing additional layers of international tension and concern over North Korea's motivations and Russia's long-term strategy.
The initial skirmishes between North Korean and Ukrainian forces appear to have been limited, described by a Ukrainian official as likely "probing attacks" to test Ukrainian defenses. North Korean forces fought alongside Russia's 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, a highly-trained combat unit. Reports indicate that North Korean troops suffered significant casualties, though exact numbers remain undisclosed. The introduction of North Korean soldiers on the front lines has taken many by surprise and is seen as a symbol of Russia’s increasingly unconventional alliances.
Reports estimate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a contingent of about 10,000 soldiers to support Russia's operations in Ukraine. While many of these troops have not yet entered active combat, officials in Ukraine and the West see their presence as a major escalation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the development, labeling the North Korean involvement a "new chapter of global instability." He urged Ukraine's allies to strengthen their support, warning that Russia's alliance with North Korea represents a dangerous expansion of the conflict.
The North Korean troops reportedly began their journey last month, arriving by boat in Vladivostok before traveling over 4,000 miles westward to the Kursk region. Military officials suggest these forces have been divided into two groups: one comprised of assault troops ready for frontline action and another of support troops responsible for organizing defenses in retaken territories. Ukrainian intelligence indicates that more North Korean soldiers could join the conflict in the coming days, likely bolstering Russia’s forces in the Donbas region as winter approaches.
Western officials see this development as evidence of Russia's desperation in the face of severe personnel losses. Some analysts argue that President Vladimir Putin’s decision to deploy North Korean soldiers reflects his efforts to demonstrate that Russia is not isolated, despite extensive sanctions and international opposition. North Korea’s involvement could give Russia the flexibility to redirect its troops to more offensive operations in Ukraine, potentially influencing Russia’s gains in key regions before winter makes combat conditions harsher.
It’s unclear what President Putin may have offered Kim Jong Un in exchange for these troops. Thus far, U.S. intelligence has not confirmed any promises of reciprocal military support from Russia to North Korea. However, the recent history of cooperation between the two countries suggests a closer alliance may be in the making. In June, Putin visited Kim in Pyongyang, where they reinstated a Cold War-era treaty of mutual defense and military cooperation, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration.
The North Korean contribution to Russia’s military efforts extends beyond personnel. Since the summer of 2023, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with 16,000 shipping containers filled with artillery shells, rockets, and missiles. This steady stream of military supplies provides a lifeline for Russian forces amid sanctions that have severely limited Russia’s access to other weaponry. The latest North Korean missile test—a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile launched toward Japan—further raised alarm in the West, reminding global leaders of North Korea’s ambitions and its willingness to support Russia’s war aims.
Experts remain divided over the strategic significance of North Korea’s involvement. Some believe that the recruitment of North Korean troops highlights Russia's limited options as it faces ongoing Ukrainian resistance. Others speculate that the North Korean forces serve as a political statement from Putin, aiming to deter Western support for Ukraine by signaling Russia’s global alliances. The West, already concerned about the nuclear capabilities of both Russia and North Korea, now faces the challenge of navigating the implications of these two nations growing closer.
North Korea's intervention in the conflict adds a layer of unpredictability. With North Korean troops now entering the fray and Kim Jong Un standing firmly by Putin’s side, the war in Ukraine has shifted beyond a local conflict. It has become a stage for alliances and tensions that could reshape the global order, prompting new responses from the West and heightening the urgency for peace in a deeply divided world.
