North Korean Troops to Join Russia’s Victory Day Parade for the First Time

North Korean soldiers are set to participate in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK World on January 16, citing unnamed Russian sources.

On January 15, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced that military representatives from 19 "friendly" countries had been invited to the parade. NHK reported that dozens of North Korean personnel are expected to join the commemoration of the Soviet victory in World War II.

Speculation about North Korean involvement began in December 2024 when Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov suggested their potential participation.

In addition, a North Korean military band is reportedly scheduled to perform at a music event in Moscow this August.

Reports suggest that between 10,000 and 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed. According to the US State Department, these troops began participating in combat operations alongside Russian forces in mid-November.

Earlier, John Kirby, a US Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, stated that North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces are suffering heavy losses, with reports of soldiers attempting to take their own lives.