North Korea has supplied approximately 200 pieces of long-range artillery to Russia and is likely to send further military support, according to South Korea’s defence ministry.
The latest assessment suggests that Pyongyang is deepening its involvement in Moscow’s war against Ukraine through both personnel and weapons transfers.
This follows an earlier report by South Korea’s intelligence agency, which estimated that North Korea had dispatched around 11,000 troops to assist Russian forces. Among them, approximately 300 are believed to have been killed, while 2,700 others have sustained injuries.
North Korea’s Expanding Role in the Ukraine War
During a briefing to South Korea’s parliamentary defence committee, the ministry outlined North Korea’s military assistance to Russia, which includes missiles, artillery, and a significant quantity of ammunition. Officials warned that additional troops, weaponry, and supplies could follow as North Korea continues to strengthen its strategic ties with Moscow.
Reports suggest that North Korea has been preparing to deploy more military equipment to Russia since at least December. This could include kamikaze drones, which would provide additional aerial support to Russian operations.
Furthermore, the United States’ Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, previously stated that Pyongyang had already shipped more than 1,000 containers of ammunition to Russia.
High Casualties Among North Korean Troops
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have reported that North Korea is expected to deploy additional military personnel to Russia by mid-March 2025, likely to sustain the intensity of ongoing infantry-led assaults in the Kursk region.
While it remains unclear whether these forces will replace existing troops or expand North Korea’s overall military presence in Russia, the deployment appears aimed at compensating for significant battlefield losses. Western officials estimate that, as of mid-January, approximately 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed in action, with another 3,000 wounded or missing.
ISW has assessed that at the current casualty rate, the entire North Korean contingent in Russia could be rendered combat ineffective by mid-April. North Korean forces reportedly undergo training in eastern Russia before being deployed to front-line positions, and the next contingent is expected to follow a similar preparation process before reinforcing Russian operations in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Russian ranks. On 7 February, he reported that Russian forces had redeployed North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region, where renewed assaults had taken place. According to Zelensky, hundreds of Russian and North Korean troops were eliminated in recent engagements.
Technology Exchange Between Pyongyang and Moscow
South Korea’s defence ministry has raised concerns that North Korea may be receiving Russian technological assistance in exchange for its military support. The ministry specifically pointed to two key areas of interest: nuclear-powered submarines and atmospheric re-entry technology for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s recent visit to a nuclear-material production facility, reported by state media in late January, underscores Pyongyang’s commitment to advancing its weapons programmes. South Korean officials believe that the final year of North Korea’s five-year military development plan will see intensified efforts to refine strategic capabilities, including satellite technology and solid-fuel ICBMs.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
The growing military relationship between Russia and North Korea adds another layer of complexity to the war in Ukraine, as Pyongyang emerges as a key external supplier to Moscow. Western intelligence agencies have been monitoring the increased cooperation, particularly given the sanctions imposed on both countries.
The deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea comes amid strained relations between Pyongyang and Washington. South Korea’s defence ministry noted that North Korea has not yet responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent indication of interest in reengaging with Kim Jong-un. Instead, Pyongyang has escalated its rhetoric and military demonstrations, including missile tests and nuclear-related activities.
