- Category
- Latest news
North Korea Sends Thousands of Troops to Russia Disguised as Construction Workers
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
North Korea has deployed approximately 5,000 military construction troops and 1,000 engineers to Russia since September, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), as reported by Euractiv on November 4.
The deployment is reportedly part of Pyongyang’s broader support for Russian operations, including potential involvement in infrastructure repair and demining near the border with Ukraine.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-Kweun, speaking after a closed-door intelligence briefing, said that “around 5,000 North Korean construction troops have been sequentially relocated to Russia since September and are expected to be mobilized for infrastructure reconstruction.”
The NIS also confirmed that approximately 1,000 engineers have been assigned to mine-clearing tasks.
In total, over 10,000 North Korean personnel are now reportedly stationed near Russia’s border with Ukraine, some engaged in security-related duties. According to Euractiv, intelligence agencies are also monitoring active recruitment and training efforts in North Korea, suggesting additional troop deployments may follow.
South Korean intelligence estimates that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the war in Ukraine, with thousands more wounded. A separate Euractiv report in September cited intelligence suggesting the number of North Korean military fatalities could exceed 2,000.
According to Euractiv, analysts believe North Korea receives military technology, financial support, food supplies, and energy resources from Moscow in exchange for its manpower and support.
This cooperation reportedly allows Pyongyang to mitigate the impact of ongoing international sanctions linked to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
A UN sanctions monitoring group also warned in October that North Korea may send up to 40,000 additional workers to Russia, including delegations of IT specialists, further expanding its overseas labor footprint in violation of international sanctions.
Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defense reported that North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia’s Kursk region were helping direct Russian rocket strikes on Ukraine’s Sumy region using drones—marking the first confirmed instance of DPRK troops actively supporting Russian offensive operations.
-29ed98e0f248ee005bb84bfbf7f30adf.jpg)
