Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers citing information from the country’s intelligence agency. The total number of North Korean troops deployed to fight alongside Russia is reported to be 15,000.
The lawmakers disclosed that, in addition to the deaths, approximately 4,700 North Korean troops have been either killed or injured during their involvement in the conflict. Despite these losses, the intelligence report indicates that North Korea’s military has shown signs of improved combat performance, particularly after six months of fighting, with advancements in using modern warfare technology such as drones.
In exchange for providing troops and weapons to Russia, North Korea appears to have received technical support, including spy satellite technology, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles, according to the South Korean intelligence assessments.
“After six months of participation in the war, the North Korean military has become less inept, and its combat capability has significantly improved as it becomes accustomed to using new weapons such as drones,” said Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee, following a briefing by the National Intelligence Service.
This week, Pyongyang confirmed for the first time that it had deployed troops to assist Russia in the war, a decision reportedly made under the direct orders of leader Kim Jong Un. The North Korean forces have played a pivotal role in reclaiming Russian territory that was previously occupied by Ukrainian forces, notably in the western Kursk region.
In a particularly grim revelation, Lee added that the bodies of fallen North Korean soldiers were reportedly cremated in Kursk before being returned to North Korea. Beyond military support, North Korea is also believed to have sent around 15,000 workers to Russia, generating hard currency income for the regime. However, U.N. sanctions prohibit the use of North Korean labor in third-party countries.
The growing military and economic collaboration between North Korea and Russia highlights their increasingly close ties, as both nations remain politically and economically isolated on the global stage.
North Korea on Thursday marked the first anniversary of its defence pact with Russia, praising the “absolute solidity” of the alliance and defending its military involvement in the war in Ukraine, despite international condemnation.
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
South Korea, the U.S., and Japan held their first joint air drills since President Lee Jae Myung took office, signalling security cooperation even as Seoul seeks renewed dialogue with North Korea.
Pyongyang has strongly condemned Washington's push for "strategic flexibility" of US forces in South Korea, warning it could spark regional conflict and accusing the U.S. of pursuing hegemony in the Asia-Pacific.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu has arrived in Pyongyang "on special instructions" from President Vladimir Putin. During his visit, he is expected to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the Russian Security Council.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The United States' military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday triggered sharply divided reactions from the international community, with Israel lauding the move as a historic decision while Iran, the United Nations, and numerous other nations condemned the attack.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
The United States' military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday triggered sharply divided reactions from the international community, with Israel lauding the move as a historic decision while Iran, the United Nations, and numerous other nations condemned the attack.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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