What we know about North Korea’s expanding role in Russia’s war against Ukraine

North Korea has deployed troops, weapons and now, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a war since the 1950s.

A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for attacks on Ukraine, an official at Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency said.

The unit comprises about 90 North Korean personnel and is expected to be based in Russia's Voronezh region, the official explained. The United States is aware of the North Korean deployment, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters.

The Ukrainian official said that 40 North Korean missiles have already been supplied, at least two of which were launched at Ukraine last week during a deadly strike.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in July that Russia wanted to bring in 30,000 North Korean troops and was preparing facilities in Voronezh to receive them.

• Zelenskyy says Russia preparing to deploy more North Korean troops, warns Asian allies

How many North Korean troops were sent to Russia in 2024?

North Korea sent around 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region, according to Ukrainian and South Korean estimates, helping Moscow's forces repel a surprise Ukrainian ground incursion.

Russia and North Korea confirmed in April 2025 that North Korean troops had fought Ukrainian forces in Kursk.

Russia's top military commander praised their role after Moscow said it had retaken Kursk territory, while Pyongyang said the deployment was ordered by leader Kim Jong Un.

The Ukrainian official said this month that around 9,500 North Korean troops remained in Kursk, but were not directly involved in operations against Ukraine.

What other personnel has North Korea said it will provide?

In June 2025, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said North Korea would send 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military construction workers to Kursk to clear mines and help rebuild infrastructure damaged in the fighting.

That same month, South Korean lawmakers, citing a briefing by the National Intelligence Service, said that North Korea appeared to have begun recruiting personnel for an additional deployment to Russia. 

It remains unclear how many engineers, deminers or additional troops have arrived in Russia, or whether they have been used in combat roles.

Why is North Korea helping Russia?

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during Putin's June 2024 visit to Pyongyang. The pact includes a mutual assistance provision if either country faces external aggression.

North Korea has cast its deployment as assistance to a treaty partner. Kim said in May 2025 that participation in the war was justified as an exercise of North Korea's sovereign rights in defence of a "brother nation".

Analysts say Pyongyang stands to gain hard currency, oil and other economic support, as well as access to Russian military technology and battlefield experience for its forces and weapons.

North Korean soldiers have gained combat exposure to drones, electronic warfare, artillery coordination and modern battlefield tactics, while its missile and ammunition makers have been able to assess their equipment in wartime conditions.

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What has the international reaction been?

The United States and its allies have said the troop deployments and arms transfers violate United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

Pyongyang has been subject to UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The sanctions prohibit countries from hosting North Korean trainers, advisers or other officials for military, paramilitary or police training.

Washington imposed additional sanctions in December 2024 on North Korean and Russian entities connected to Pyongyang's military and financial support for Moscow.

South Korea also blacklisted individuals and entities linked to illicit military cooperation between the two countries.

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North Korea Russia Ukraine Kim Jong Un Vladimir Putin NATO Ukraine Russia War