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North Korea’s Soldiers Reportedly Directing Russian Strikes on Ukraine, UK Says

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Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko
Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer
Photo of Tetiana Frolova
Tetiana Frolova
News Writer
North Korea’s Soldiers Reportedly Directing Russian Strikes on Ukraine, UK Says
North Korean army rehearsal parade on Kim il Sung square, Pyongan Province, Pyongyang, North Korea on April 13, 2008 in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Source: Getty Images)

For the first time, North Korean military personnel have been observed providing direct support to Russia's offensive operations against Ukraine, specifically by assisting with strikes on the Sumy region.

The UK Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence data, reported on October 24 that DPRK soldiers stationed in Russia's Kursk region are involved in coordinating reconnaissance and helping to direct Russian firepower onto Ukrainian territory.

This marks a significant escalation, as it is the first confirmed instance of North Korean troops actively supporting or facilitating Russian offensive actions against a sovereign Ukrainian region.

According to British intelligence, DPRK operators of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are helping Russian forces aim multiple launch rocket systems to target Ukrainian positions in Sumy. These North Korean-made drones are reportedly used to adjust the fire of multiple launch rocket systems, boosting the precision of Russian attacks.

While North Korean personnel had previously conducted drone operations and served as attritional infantry in the Kursk region—where they suffered over 6,000 casualties (more than half of the estimated 11,000 troops initially deployed)—their role is now shifting to direct combat support inside the operational zone.

The UK MoD also notes that the DPRK is likely using this war to upgrade its military capabilities and improve its drone technology. Any decision to deploy these troops further into internationally recognized Ukrainian territory would require the direct approval of both Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

Earlier, it was reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is moving forward with plans to build a museum in Pyongyang to honor servicemen of the Korean People's Army. The museum will be dedicated to those who, in his words, took part in a military operation to “liberate Russia's Kursk region”—a reference to their involvement in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

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