North Korea Backs Russia’s War, Soldiers and Weapons Deployed Against Ukraine

North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine has surged since 2023, starting with high-level meetings between the two nations. First, Kim Jong Un visited Moscow, followed by Vladimir Putin’s trip to Pyongyang. These talks quickly led to trainloads of what was believed to be North Korean ammunition heading to Russia.

Now, there is confirmed information about massive deliveries of North Korean ammunition and missiles to the front lines. In mid-October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated bluntly that Russia had fully drawn North Korea into the war, signaling that this was no longer just about arms supplies but direct involvement. North Korean soldiers have now been deployed to the front. Russia has previously used foreign mercenaries and has lured foreigners into the war through deception. Iranian instructors had been operating in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, training forces on the use of Shahed drones. However, this level of state cooperation is unprecedented, with North Korea now a direct participant in the war.

Ammunition supply

The supply of ammunition from North Korean stockpiles to Russia began in September 2023, reported Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) chief, Kyrylo Budanov. By October, entire trainloads were documented moving from North Korea to Russia, with increasing frequency.

The trains carried:

• 122mm and 155mm artillery shells

• 122mm rocket-propelled grenades for multiple-launch rocket systems

• Mortar shells

North Korea has proven to be a dependable ally for Russia, with its military-industrial complex modeled entirely on Soviet designs—essentially a replica. This alignment dates back to the Korean War (1950-1953), when the Soviet Union backed North Korea, laying the foundation for their closely intertwined military systems.

Recent reports indicate that Russia has transitioned from receiving sporadic arms shipments to becoming a full-fledged client of North Korea, with its factories ramping up shell production for export to Russia.

By the summer of 2024, media outlets reported that North Korea had delivered approximately 5 million units of various shells to Russia over the course of a year. For comparison, a Czech initiative aimed to procure between 800,000 and 1.3 million shells for Ukraine, while NATO countries set a target of producing 1 million shells but failed to meet the deadline.

Missiles

North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with KN-23 ballistic missiles, which were first launched against Ukrainian cities in late 2023 and early 2024. Since then, Ukrainian forces have frequently identified North Korean missiles among those intercepted.

While the exact scale of these missile shipments remains unknown, it’s evident that North Korean missiles are filling the gaps in Russia’s dwindling ballistic missile stock. These weapons are now actively being used to bombard Ukrainian cities near the front lines.

There are also indications that Russia may have received missiles from Iran, which has also helped establish local production of Shahed drones within Russia.

Up to 10,000 troops

For the first time, Russia and its ally have elevated their cooperation to a new level: North Korea is now sending its own troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine. Reports suggest a special unit named “Buryat” has been formed, consisting of up to 3,000 North Korean soldiers. These troops are expected to be stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, partially controlled by Ukrainian forces, as well as the Bryansk and Belgorod regions near Ukraine’s border.

North Korean military instructors and other personnel have been present in occupied Ukrainian territories, monitoring and providing training.

Media reports suggest that the initial figure of 3,000 troops may already be outdated, with the number of North Korean soldiers expected to be sent to Ukraine reaching closer to 10,000.

There are questions about the motivation of these soldiers, as 18 have already deserted their units and remain in hiding, with searches underway.

North Korean factories produce uniforms, footwear, and other essential equipment for Russian soldiers.

North Korea has become the third nation to officially side with Russia in its war against Ukraine, following Belarus and Iran. North Korea’s involvement is the most significant step yet.

Ukraine, meanwhile, still lacks the capability to strike Russian military targets with long-range missiles, and its allies’ air defense systems have not been effective in intercepting Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory.