North Korea has taken a significant step in its involvement in the Ukraine war, reportedly deploying military engineers and troops to assist Russia in targeting Ukraine with ballistic missiles. This development, reported by The War Zone, marks the first instance of a foreign government sending uniformed military personnel to bolster Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The conflict, now in its third year, has seen an escalating convergence of international interests, with both NATO and non-NATO nations supporting opposing sides in various ways.
The report indicates that North Korean officers and soldiers have been deployed alongside Russian forces, adding another layer of complexity to an already multifaceted war. While NATO nations, particularly the United States, have provided Ukraine with military “advisors” and extensive support in the form of weapons and intelligence, North Korea’s direct military involvement signals a deepening alignment with Russia.
One of the most notable benefits for North Korea is the opportunity to test its weaponry in a high-intensity combat environment. The ongoing war in Ukraine provides Pyongyang with valuable battlefield data and combat experience, particularly regarding the effectiveness of its short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs). Declassified U.S. intelligence reports, referenced by The War Zone, suggest that Russia has already used North Korean SRBMs, including the KN-23 and KN-24, in strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
This real-world combat testing could significantly enhance North Korea’s military capabilities, as it refines its weapons systems based on performance in the Ukraine conflict. Since February 2022, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with over a million artillery rounds. These weapons have been crucial for Russia’s sustained artillery barrages on Ukrainian forces, especially as Russia grapples with shortages in its own munitions stockpile.
In addition to supplying munitions and missile systems, North Korea has also deployed uniformed military personnel to Ukraine, a move that underscores the growing depth of its involvement. South Korean and Ukrainian officials have confirmed that North Korean soldiers, including officers, are actively participating in the conflict. This is a significant escalation, as foreign governments have thus far refrained from sending official military units to assist Russia directly.
A Politico article from this month, authored by Ketrin Jochecova, notes that South Korea’s defense minister, Kim Yong-Hyun, confirmed reports of North Korean casualties in Ukraine, signaling the high-risk nature of this deployment. Ukrainian forces, keen to neutralize the impact of North Korean involvement, have targeted these troops as well as the supply lines supporting them.
North Korea’s growing participation in the war stems from a mutual defense pact signed with Russia in June 2024. According to a Telegram article, North Korea agreed to send up to three engineering brigades, which could amount to as many as 15,000 troops. In return, Russia will provide Pyongyang with $115 million annually. This agreement not only strengthens military ties between the two countries but also ensures that North Korea is financially compensated for its involvement in the conflict.
These North Korean brigades are responsible for assisting Russian forces in maintaining and constructing critical infrastructure, as well as operating and servicing ballistic missile systems. Their presence in Ukraine has significantly boosted Russia’s capabilities in key regions, although it has also made them targets for Ukrainian counterattacks.
In response to North Korea’s growing role in the conflict, Ukraine has ramped up its efforts to target munitions depots, particularly those supplied by Pyongyang. A Newsweek report by Ellie Cook and John Feng outlines Ukraine’s recent strikes on several key Russian ammunition storage sites. These strikes have focused on facilities in Sergeevka, Voronezh, Soldatskoye, and Mariupol, all of which housed North Korean-supplied munitions.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR) has been instrumental in orchestrating these attacks. By targeting Russia’s logistics and supply chains, Ukraine aims to cripple the Russian military’s ability to sustain its operations. North Korean munitions, which have bolstered Russia’s artillery strength, are now a prime target for Ukrainian missile strikes.
However, Ukraine’s efforts have been hindered by the reluctance of Western allies to approve long-range strike weapons. While Ukraine has been effective in striking nearby targets, the ability to hit deep inside Russian territory would require the provision of advanced long-range munitions—something NATO members have hesitated to supply for fear of escalating the conflict further.
Despite Ukraine’s repeated requests for long-range strike capabilities, NATO remains cautious about crossing this threshold. A recent Politico article reflects on NATO’s internal debates over whether to provide Ukraine with weapons capable of striking deep within Russian territory. Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted that while the alliance has delivered significant military support to Ukraine, including HIMARS systems and advanced tanks, there is a reluctance among some NATO members to provoke further escalation.
Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO’s priority is to support Ukraine’s right to self-defense, including its right to strike legitimate military targets within Russia. However, he acknowledged that differing perspectives within the alliance have resulted in restrictions on how Ukraine can use Western-supplied weapons. As a result, Ukraine’s ability to fully implement its “Victory Plan”—a strategic blueprint aimed at ending the war—has been constrained.
In September 2024, RBC-Ukraine published details of Ukraine’s Victory Plan, a strategic framework designed by Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The plan outlines the military tools and international support necessary to bring about a decisive end to the war. Podolyak has called on Ukraine’s Western allies to stop fearing Russian propaganda about nuclear escalation and to fully commit to supporting Ukraine’s victory.
The plan, while still not fully disclosed to the public, underscores the importance of international unity in confronting Russian aggression. President Zelensky is expected to present the plan to U.S. President Joe Biden in an effort to gauge whether Ukraine’s allies are genuinely committed to achieving victory or are more focused on containing Russia.
Podolyak warned that prolonging the conflict would only increase its costs, both financially and in terms of human lives. He argued that a principled, unified approach to defeating Russia is essential to ensure a lasting and fair resolution to the war.
Complicating matters further is Russia’s recent shift in its nuclear doctrine. According to a September 2024 Reuters report, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that any conventional attack on Russia, if supported by a nuclear power, would be treated as a nuclear assault. This change broadens the scope of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which previously allowed for a nuclear response only in the face of existential threats to the state.
Putin’s announcement was made during a UN Security Council meeting and is seen as a direct response to discussions in the U.S. and UK about enabling Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles. The new doctrine also extends to cover aggression against Russia’s ally, Belarus, raising concerns about potential nuclear escalation if the conflict intensifies.
Apart from the nuclear threat, Russia may escalate the conflict in other ways. A Reuters report in September 2024 suggested that Russia is considering transferring advanced P-800 Oniks anti-ship missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen, with Iran acting as an intermediary. While the decision has not been finalized, this move could destabilize the Red Sea region, threatening commercial and military vessels. The expansion of Russian military influence into the Middle East could have significant global implications, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
As North Korea deepens its involvement in the Ukraine war, the conflict continues to evolve into a more intricate and globalized confrontation. With North Korean troops now on the ground and their munitions being used in Russian strikes, the war has taken on an increasingly international character. Ukraine, in turn, has ramped up its retaliatory strikes, particularly against North Korean ammunition depots, while continuing to press its Western allies for more support.
However, with NATO hesitant to provide long-range weapons and Russia threatening nuclear escalation, the path to a decisive Ukrainian victory remains fraught with challenges. As the conflict drags on, the stakes grow higher, not only for the warring nations but for the entire international community.
