In the Ukraine-Russia war, North Korean troops will reportedly begin combat operations alongside Russian forces as soon as this weekend, Ukrainian officials said Friday. This unexpected development signals a deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia, adding new urgency to an already intense international crisis that has drawn in global powers and put regional security on edge.
Washington has confirmed the deployment, raising concerns among the United States and its allies, who view the involvement of North Korean forces as a major escalation in the 20-month conflict. The news is particularly troubling for North Korea’s neighbors and could complicate China’s efforts to balance its relationship with North Korea and Russia while seeking a degree of neutrality in the conflict.
The U.S. and South Korean governments claim that approximately 3,000 North Korean troops are already en route to Russia, with the total contingent possibly reaching 12,000 soldiers in the coming months. This would mark the largest overseas deployment of North Korean military forces since the Vietnam War, as well as the first direct involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict.
The reports of North Korean involvement come at a critical juncture in the Russia-Ukraine war, which has shown little sign of resolution. While Moscow initially hoped for a swift victory, resistance from Ukrainian forces and international sanctions have prolonged the conflict. In recent months, Russia has increasingly looked to allied countries, particularly North Korea and Iran, to bolster its depleting military supplies and manpower.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that North Korean soldiers could enter combat zones as early as Sunday, significantly altering the battlefield landscape. This would place North Korean forces in regions where Ukrainian incursions have threatened Russian-held territories, including in the Russian border region of Kursk. According to Ukrainian officials, the first wave of North Korean troops has already been sighted in Kursk, equipped with Russian military gear, as shown in videos released by Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security.
While neither Russia nor North Korea has confirmed the troop deployment officially, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments suggest tacit acknowledgment of their presence. When pressed about North Korean involvement, Putin responded with sarcasm, pointing to the mutual defense pact between the two nations and asserting that Western nations were responsible for escalating the conflict in Ukraine.
The new military alliance between North Korea and Russia could place China, North Korea’s historical ally and economic supporter, in a precarious position. Beijing has long held significant influence over Pyongyang, but that influence appears to be waning as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pursues closer ties with Moscow. This erosion of influence could shift the power dynamics in East Asia, creating a ripple effect that may challenge China’s dominance in the region.
Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group, expressed concern that North Korea’s decision to align itself militarily with Russia could sideline China’s role as Pyongyang’s primary protector. “If North Koreans are actually sending troops to fight with the Russians, then clearly the level of Russian willingness to support North Korea is going to be equivalent,” Bremmer told NBC News. “That really, in many ways, supplants China as North Korea’s most important protector.”
For China, which shares borders with both North Korea and Russia, the North Korean deployment introduces a set of challenges that undermine its cautious support for Russia while complicating its regional strategy. China has been attempting to project neutrality in the Ukraine war, putting forth a peace proposal earlier this year. But the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea could pressure Beijing to reassess its position as it continues to face scrutiny from the West over its perceived support for Moscow.
South Korea and Japan, key U.S. allies in Asia and close neighbors to North Korea, have expressed grave concerns over the potential security implications of the North Korean-Russian alliance. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin next week to discuss potential responses to the North Korean deployment. Discussions are expected to focus on security risks on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile programs have already heightened tensions.
South Korean officials are reportedly reconsidering their approach to aiding Ukraine, which has been limited to non-lethal assistance thus far. However, the introduction of North Korean troops into the war could prompt South Korea to consider providing Ukraine with defensive or possibly even offensive weaponry. Japan’s government also expressed “grave concern” over the new alliance, with officials closely monitoring developments to assess their potential impact on regional security.
The cooperation between North Korea and Russia may not be limited to troop support alone. Analysts believe that Russia could be providing Pyongyang with critical military technologies in exchange for North Korean munitions. U.S. intelligence agencies suggest that Moscow may be helping North Korea advance its missile and nuclear programs by offering technical expertise that Pyongyang has long sought.
This arrangement could pose further security challenges for countries within the range of North Korea’s missiles, including Japan, South Korea, and the United States. If Moscow is indeed sharing advanced military technology with Pyongyang, it could alter the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and raise the stakes for a potential arms race.
Washington and Seoul have warned that any such transfer of arms or technology would not only be a violation of United Nations sanctions but could also provoke a stronger military response from the U.S. and its allies. However, both Russia and North Korea have denied any transfer of arms, despite evidence indicating otherwise.
The U.S. has condemned the reported troop deployment, with officials from the White House stating that North Korea’s involvement represents a dangerous escalation that could further destabilize the situation in Ukraine. While the United Nations has not issued an official statement on the deployment, multiple member states have voiced their concerns about the potential global consequences of the new alliance.
The deployment also brings an unexpected challenge to the European Union, which has maintained a unified stance against Russia’s aggression by imposing sanctions and providing significant support to Ukraine. European leaders have been particularly alarmed by the risk of additional escalations in a war that already threatens regional and global stability.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who had previously joined Putin in declaring a “no limits” partnership between their countries, has called for a resolution to the conflict. During a speech at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Xi underscored China’s desire for peace and indicated discomfort with the ongoing war. This aligns with reports from Ian Bremmer, who met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week and observed signs that China may be reconsidering its position on the Ukraine crisis.
Though China has consistently called for peace and opposed the supply of lethal aid to either side, the possibility of a North Korean-Russian military pact may push Beijing to adopt a more active stance in diplomatic efforts. Analysts suggest that the North Korean deployment could drive China to engage more constructively with the U.S. and other Western countries in pursuing an end to the conflict, possibly after the U.S. presidential elections in 2024.
For China, maintaining stability is a priority, and the Kremlin’s increasing reliance on Pyongyang could jeopardize that goal. The Chinese government has been reticent about the new deployment, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating that Beijing was “not aware” of the reported North Korean troop movements. Lin reiterated China’s stance on Ukraine, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and a “political solution.”
