Key facts
- North Korea has deployed 14,000-15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine since fall 2024.
- The deployed troops are largely from North Korea's elite Storm Corps.
- North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and other weaponry.
- Over 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded.
- Thousands of North Korean laborers have been sent to assist Russia's war effort.
North Korea has emerged as a crucial ally for Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine, providing both military equipment and personnel. Since late 2024, Pyongyang has reportedly sent between 14,000 and 15,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces, primarily from its elite Storm Corps. This deployment, which has reportedly resulted in over 6,000 casualties, aims to provide North Korean troops with combat experience in modern warfare and test their weapons systems.
Beyond troop deployments, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and other armaments since August 2023, with some estimates suggesting Pyongyang provides roughly half of Russia's artillery shell needs. Additionally, thousands of North Korean laborers have been sent to assist Russia's war effort, including in construction and demining operations.
This intensified cooperation allows North Korea to modernize its military, gain valuable combat experience, and solidify its position within an anti-Western coalition led by Russia and China. The alignment between the two nations, however, raises concerns about long-term stability in the Korean Peninsula and the broader Asia-Pacific region.