The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has revealed that nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers are preparing to enter the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in international involvement.
The statement from Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, came at a time when an online video surfaced, purportedly showing North Korean troops undergoing military training in Russia. These troops are expected to be ready for deployment by November 1, 2024, according to the intelligence chief.
Lt. Gen. Budanov disclosed in a briefing that an initial group of 2,600 North Korean soldiers is scheduled to be sent to the Kursk region in western Russia, where they will reinforce Russian forces currently engaged in a critical battle against Ukrainian troops. The Kursk region has been a flashpoint in recent months, with frequent cross-border skirmishes and artillery duels between the two sides. This new revelation underscores the increasing internationalization of the war, raising concerns about the potential for broader conflict.
The announcement has come as a shock to many observers, not only in Ukraine but across the world. North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine represents a significant diplomatic shift and deepens the already complex web of alliances and conflicts that define the war. While North Korea has long maintained close ties with Russia, the presence of thousands of North Korean troops in combat roles signals a new phase of military cooperation between the two isolated nations.
According to sources from Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, one of the battalions being formed from these North Korean troops will serve under the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. This brigade, known for its aggressive operational role in the Kursk sector, is currently fighting Ukrainian forces in a tense and bloody standoff. The unit is normally based in Ulan-Ude, a city in eastern Siberia, but its involvement in the conflict in western Russia highlights the broader scope of Russia’s military deployments.
The battalion of North Korean troops attached to the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade is expected to number around 3,000 soldiers, according to reports. The involvement of North Korean forces in this elite Russian brigade raises questions about the operational capabilities and morale of Russian troops, many of whom have been bogged down in Ukraine for over a year without achieving decisive results.
In tandem with the Ukrainian intelligence revelations, a video was released online today that appears to show soldiers of North Korean origin training at a Russian military installation. Though the video’s authenticity has yet to be independently verified, analysts have noted that the individuals in the footage bear a strong resemblance to North Korean soldiers, particularly in terms of their uniforms and discipline.
The soldiers in the video can be seen participating in what appears to be advanced military drills, including weapons training and tactical maneuvers. The presence of these troops in Russia has raised concerns about how deeply North Korea is becoming entangled in the conflict, and to what extent its military resources are being utilized to bolster Russia’s increasingly strained war effort.
The training of North Korean troops in Russia is not entirely unexpected, given the long-standing military ties between the two countries. However, the scale of this deployment is unprecedented and signals a major shift in North Korea’s foreign policy, which has traditionally focused on preserving its own security rather than direct involvement in overseas conflicts.
The military partnership between Russia and North Korea has been growing steadily in recent years, particularly in the face of increasing international sanctions against both countries. North Korea, isolated from much of the global economy due to its nuclear ambitions, has found a willing partner in Russia, which is itself reeling from sanctions imposed by Western nations following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Military analysts believe that North Korea’s involvement in the war may extend beyond just manpower. Recent reports indicate that North Korea has been supplying Russia with various forms of military hardware, including ballistic missiles, missile systems, and millions of artillery shells. Given the dire need for artillery and ammunition on the front lines, this support is crucial for Russia, whose stockpiles have been depleted by the prolonged conflict.
One significant aspect of North Korea’s military support is its massive artillery fleet. For decades, North Korea has built up a formidable array of artillery systems, which remain one of the primary means of firepower for its military. North Korea’s emphasis on artillery stems from its strategic doctrine, which views overwhelming firepower as the key to countering more technologically advanced adversaries. This doctrine is now being put to the test in the Ukrainian theater, where Russian forces are increasingly relying on North Korean-supplied artillery to maintain pressure on Ukrainian defenders.
The Ukrainian resistance movement ATESH has also weighed in on the issue, claiming that Russian artillerymen have been undergoing training on North Korean self-propelled artillery systems. These reports, though not yet confirmed with visual evidence, align with the broader pattern of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. According to ATESH, the training is taking place at the recently reopened Saratov Higher Artillery Command School, a historic institution that has long been at the heart of Russia’s artillery command structure.
While the Ukrainian government and other international observers have yet to confirm the details of these claims, the presence of North Korean artillery systems on the front lines would represent a significant escalation in Russia’s firepower capabilities. The potential use of these systems, alongside North Korean troops, suggests that Russia is attempting to bolster its military capabilities through unconventional alliances, as it faces mounting pressure on the battlefield and increasing diplomatic isolation.
The involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine raises serious concerns about the potential for an even broader international escalation. Western nations, particularly the United States and European Union, have already imposed stringent sanctions on both Russia and North Korea, but this new development could prompt additional diplomatic and economic measures.
The presence of North Korean troops in Russia also complicates the ongoing diplomatic efforts to isolate Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons program. North Korea’s decision to provide direct military support to Russia may be seen as an attempt to secure further backing from Moscow in the face of increasing international pressure. In return, Russia may be receiving much-needed military hardware and resources that could help prolong its war effort in Ukraine.
Moreover, the participation of North Korean troops could complicate the military dynamics on the ground. While North Korea is often viewed as a relatively backward military power in terms of technology, its troops are known for their rigorous discipline and extensive training. Their involvement in the war could bolster Russian morale and provide a new source of manpower that Russia desperately needs after suffering heavy losses in the war’s earlier phases.
The international community is already reacting to the news of North Korean involvement in the conflict. Ukraine has called for immediate international condemnation and further sanctions against both Russia and North Korea. In a statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the involvement of North Korean troops “a dangerous and destabilizing development,” warning that it could lead to further international escalation.
The United States and its NATO allies are likely to view this development with concern, as it indicates that Russia is willing to draw on any available resources to continue its war in Ukraine. U.S. officials have already expressed alarm over North Korea’s missile and artillery shipments to Russia, and the deployment of North Korean soldiers is likely to exacerbate tensions.
There is also the question of how this development will affect China, North Korea’s long-time ally and neighbor. While China has traditionally been a key supporter of North Korea, it has also maintained a delicate balancing act in its relationship with Russia. Beijing has not openly supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the introduction of North Korean troops into the conflict could strain China’s diplomatic relationships with both Moscow and Pyongyang.
