In the Ukraine conflict and potentially the broader geopolitical landscape, approximately 10,000 North Korean combat troops have been deployed to Russia, with some reportedly stationed in the key region of Kursk, according to a recent report from the British Ministry of Defense (MoD). The report, published on November 3, 2024, by the Defence Intelligence Services, reveals an emerging alignment between Russia and North Korea as both nations reinforce their military and strategic alliance.
This collaboration, formalized through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty ratified by Russia’s State Duma on October 24, 2024, includes a mutual defense clause. North Korea’s deployment marks the alliance’s first tangible military action, moving beyond previous arms supplies to support Russia in Ukraine’s conflict zone. For North Korea, the pact provides an essential international ally and economic partner willing to overlook sanctions, while Russia gains additional manpower amid a challenging conflict.
The foundation of this strengthened alliance can be traced to a series of recent diplomatic moves and shared geopolitical interests. Following months of covert and overt exchanges, Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with North Korea represents a formalized commitment to military collaboration. The treaty not only solidifies North Korea’s backing of Russian military operations but also includes economic incentives for Pyongyang, a nation long isolated by Western sanctions.
For North Korea, this partnership holds critical economic importance. With an economy in dire need of foreign support, North Korea has gained an opportunity for sanctioned goods and services to flow through Russian trade channels, circumventing international restrictions. In return, Russia benefits from North Korea’s human resources, as the latter’s military forces now stand poised to bolster Russian campaigns in Ukraine.
Further evidence supporting the British MoD report comes from United States intelligence assessments, which estimate that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have already been stationed in Russia. The Kursk region, strategically vital and an active engagement zone since Ukrainian forces entered it in August, is reportedly among the first areas where DPRK troops have been sighted. This proximity to the Ukrainian border has led to mounting concerns in NATO countries.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has publicly denounced the North Korean troop deployment, deeming it a “significant escalation” in the ongoing conflict. His remarks underscore the gravity with which Western powers view this development, as it signals an unprecedented alignment of military forces between Russia and a long-standing adversary of the West.
The Pentagon has similarly expressed concern about Russia’s intent to incorporate DPRK forces in front-line engagements, a move that would mark the first direct involvement of North Korean forces in a major international conflict beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Confirmation of North Korea’s deployment is bolstered by recently surfaced videos that allegedly depict North Korean soldiers in Russian military gear and engaging in joint exercises with Russian forces. These videos, shared on various social media and messaging platforms, were reported on October 19, 2024, by Army Recognition. One widely circulated video appears to capture training exercises at the 127th Motor Rifle Division’s garrison in Sergeevka, a location about 130 kilometers north of Vladivostok.
The footage suggests DPRK soldiers preparing for possible combat in Ukraine, with clips showing North Korean troops engaging in training maneuvers typically associated with front-line deployment. While neither Russian nor North Korean officials have commented directly on the videos, their circulation has fueled speculation that DPRK forces are being readied for combat roles alongside Russian troops.
North Korea’s Korean People’s Army (KPA) ranks among the world’s largest military forces, with over 1.2 million active-duty soldiers and a reserve force estimated at around 6 million personnel. Known for discipline, resilience, and survival skills under harsh conditions, DPRK soldiers are well-suited to the high-stakes environment in Ukraine, where harsh winters and resource scarcity present unique challenges.
Trained in guerrilla tactics, infiltration, and adaptability, North Korean soldiers possess skills that could prove advantageous in Ukraine’s varied terrain and close-quarters combat zones. Their familiarity with asymmetric warfare and defensive maneuvers may align with the needs of Russian forces, which are increasingly engaged in irregular warfare and defensive posturing against Ukrainian advances.
The KPA also includes elite units trained in covert operations, specialized in ambush tactics and defensive strategies honed during decades of tense relations with South Korea. Such expertise in unconventional warfare could provide Russia with a tactical edge in particular frontline scenarios, where close-quarters fighting and ambushes are frequent.
Despite the combat capabilities of North Korean troops, the integration of these forces into the Russian military framework is likely to face substantial challenges. British Army Defence Intelligence analysts have pointed out several logistical and operational barriers that could hinder DPRK effectiveness. Language differences present the most immediate barrier, as few North Korean soldiers are fluent in Russian. This language gap could complicate command structures and coordination on the battlefield, particularly in complex maneuvers requiring real-time communication.
Additionally, North Korea’s military has limited experience with Russian equipment and training standards. Russia and North Korea have historically lacked joint training exercises, which means DPRK troops may require additional orientation with Russian hardware, particularly in the use of artillery, armored vehicles, and communication systems specific to the Russian military.
The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has significant implications for both the Ukraine conflict and broader international stability. As Russia bolsters its manpower, there is potential for prolonged and intensified confrontations along the Ukrainian frontlines. Yet, challenges with troop integration could slow the immediate impact of DPRK forces on the conflict.
The Russia-DPRK alliance exemplifies a new axis of cooperation among states resistant to Western influence, with potential ripple effects on global military alignments. North Korea’s engagement in an international conflict beyond the Korean Peninsula is a landmark moment, signifying the willingness of Pyongyang to participate in strategic alliances that defy Western-backed sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
In the West, leaders are expressing concern that this emerging alignment could set a precedent, where additional states resistant to U.S. and European influence may collaborate to form a counterbalance to NATO and other Western-led alliances. Analysts speculate that the Russia-DPRK alignment could inspire similar partnerships among other isolated or sanctioned states, accelerating the division between Western and non-Western spheres of influence.
