North Korea may send up to 50,000 troops to Russia
North Korea may once again become heavily involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moscow is preparing to accept up to 50,000 North Korean troops. The BBC explains why Kim Jong Un is continuing this cooperation with Russia and what North Korea has already gained from participating in the war.
North Korea may significantly increase the number of its troops in Russia. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moscow is preparing to accept up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers. Previously, the figure cited was lower—about 30,000 troops. The BBC reports on the possible new deployment of DPRK forces, analyzing the North Koreans’ previous experience in the war.
The first large DPRK units arrived in Russia in late 2024. They were deployed to the Kursk sector, where Russian troops were attempting to drive Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. According to various estimates, between 11,000 and 14,000 North Korean soldiers took part in the Kursk operation. They suffered significant losses.
Ukrainian intelligence estimates the number of North Korean military personnel killed at approximately 3,000. Another 1,500 or so may have been wounded. At the same time, an analysis of the memorial complex in Pyongyang conducted by the BBC gives a lower estimate—about 2,300 dead. Despite the heavy losses, Kim Jong Un did not abandon military cooperation with Moscow.
What the North Korean military learned from the war
The DPRK military’s first experience of war in Ukraine proved to be very difficult. They faced tactics for which they were unprepared. Drones, artillery, reconnaissance, and precision-guided weapons are constantly used on the battlefield. For the North Korean military, this was a new experience. At first, they suffered heavy losses. Ukrainian military personnel reported that the North Koreans would often attack in large groups, making them easy targets for Ukrainian drones and artillery.
But later, their tactics changed. Units became more mobile, and the soldiers began to make better use of the characteristics of the modern battlefield. South Korean researcher Yang Uk noted that the North Korean military gained something that is virtually impossible to obtain during routine exercises. “Now they know what modern combat is like,” he said.
It is precisely this experience that may be one of Kim Jong Un’s main motivations. His military is gaining real-world experience in waging war against an adversary that makes extensive use of drones, satellite reconnaissance, precision-guided weapons, and modern communications systems. This is particularly important for Pyongyang, as the country has been isolated for decades and lacks the opportunity to regularly participate in large-scale modern wars.
North Koreans try to avoid being taken prisoner
Ukrainian military personnel also noted the behavior of North Koreans during combat. According to them, there were instances where wounded North Korean soldiers attempted suicide to avoid being taken prisoner. There were also reports of soldiers blowing themselves up.
In Pyongyang, the fallen soldiers were portrayed as heroes. North Korean authorities claimed that they had allegedly chosen death over capture. Such behavior may be linked not only to military discipline but also to propaganda and fear of the consequences of captivity. For Kim Jong-un’s regime, a soldier captured by the enemy can become a serious problem.
What Kim Jong-un Gets from Russia
For North Korea, cooperation with Moscow is not just a matter of military policy. Russia can supply the DPRK with food, oil, and other resources. Pyongyang also receives foreign currency and, likely, access to military technology. South Korean researcher Lim Su-ho estimates that arms sales to Russia and the deployment of troops could have brought North Korea about $10 billion.
For a country with an economy estimated at approximately $30 billion annually, this is a very large sum. Therefore, for Kim Jong Un, Russia’s war against Ukraine has become an opportunity to obtain the resources Pyongyang needs amid international sanctions and prolonged economic isolation. But money isn’t the only reason.
The DPRK gains the opportunity to test its weapons in real combat conditions. Its military personnel are observing how modern weapon systems, drones, electronic warfare capabilities, and intelligence operations function. This is experience that Pyongyang can already incorporate into its own military plans.
In addition, the rapprochement with Russia allows Kim Jong-un to gradually reduce his dependence on China. For many years, Beijing has been North Korea’s main economic partner. “This is a major geopolitical shift,” says Lim Su-ho.
How Many North Korean Troops Are Currently in Russia
According to Ukrainian intelligence, there may still be about 8,500 North Korean military personnel on Russian territory. Their units, according to this information, are being used to guard the Russian border in the Kursk region. At the same time, Ukrainian officials state that North Korean combat units have not yet been spotted in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
However, the situation may change. Zelenskyy has warned that North Korea is preparing new forces for Russia. This involves not only military personnel but also possible new arms deliveries. In particular, the Ukrainian president has spoken of the possibility of additional ballistic weapons being transferred to Russia.
Zelenskyy emphasized that military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang poses a threat not only to Ukraine. According to him, Russia is effectively helping North Korea modernize its own military capabilities. “Russia is helping North Korea study modern methods of warfare, improve its weapons, and gain real combat experience,” the Ukrainian president stated.
Why Does Russia Need North Korean Troops?
For Moscow, assistance from the DPRK also has a very practical significance. The Russian army is constantly in need of new recruits. The war has been going on for several years now, and casualties remain significant. According to estimates by Western and Ukrainian intelligence services, Russia may be losing more soldiers each month than it can recruit. That is precisely why Moscow is seeking additional sources to replenish its army.
Russia is already recruiting foreigners into its military units. Among them are citizens of various countries. North Korean soldiers have become one of the largest organized foreign contingents that Moscow has received during the war. For Russia, this means the opportunity to gain additional forces without having to conduct another large-scale mobilization within the country.
In addition, Moscow receives weapons and ammunition from Pyongyang. As a result, the cooperation has become mutually beneficial. Russia receives troops, ammunition, and weapons. North Korea, in turn, receives money, resources, technology, and—most importantly for its army—real-world experience in modern warfare.
Why This Is Important for Ukraine
A possible increase in the number of North Korean troops in Russia means that Moscow could gain an additional resource for waging war against Ukraine. At the same time, for Pyongyang, participation in the war serves as a kind of military training ground. North Korean soldiers can learn from real-world experience, while the command can analyze how different types of weapons and tactics work.
This creates long-term risks not only for Ukraine. The more military experience North Korea gains and the more technology it can obtain from Russia, the stronger its armed forces potentially become.
Therefore, the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang extends far beyond simply sending soldiers to the front lines. Russia receives personnel and weapons, while Kim Jong-un receives money, resources, and experience that his army can use in the future. Experts believe that this cooperation will continue as long as Kim Jong-un considers it beneficial for his regime. The BBC reports on this.
