Everything we know about North Korean troops joining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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The United States and its partners have expressed concerns following Volodymyr Zelensky's statement that North Korea is dispatching thousands of troops to support Russia in its conflict in Ukraine.

On Thursday, the president of Ukraine stated that his government had information indicating that almost 10,000 North Korean troops were being readied to support the Russian military in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky stated his assertion, but did not provide additional information, just one day after US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed worries about North Korea's military assistance to Russia, shared by Washington and its partners.

"According to our sources, we have learned that North Korea has dispatched tactical staff and officers to Ukraine," Mr. Zelensky informed reporters at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"They are assembling 10,000 troops on their territory, but they haven't deployed them to either Ukraine or Russia yet."

Mr. Zelensky cautioned that if any other nation, like North Korea, were to get involved in the conflict, it could lead to "the initial move towards a world war."

Since Vladimir Putin's invasion in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have acquired weapons from their allies. Ukraine, in particular, has become more dependent on financial support and military supplies from Western nations to sustain its efforts in the conflict. However, neither country has seen significant troop deployments from any third party.

The BBC reported that a Russian military insider indicated that several North Koreans had recently come to Russia's Far East. Ukrainian sources alleged that Russia was assembling a contingent of roughly 3,000 North Koreans, but the Russian source contested this, stating that the actual number was “far from” that amount.

How Is North Korea Involved In Russia's War?

North Korea is strengthening its military connections with Russia at the same time it is cutting ties with South Korea. This situation has led the United States, Japan, South Korea, and eight other Western nations to establish a new international group aimed at overseeing the implementation of sanctions against Pyongyang.

In May, the US Department of the Treasury announced that Moscow had launched over 40 ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea in its assaults throughout Ukraine, along with other types of weapons, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

In June, reports indicate that President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reached an agreement to support each other, allowing for the exchange of ammunition and missiles to aid Russia's military campaign.

The US State Department noted that North Korea appears to be boosting its supply of weapons, including artillery shells and missiles, to Russia. This development is contributing to increased instability in Europe.

Are North Koreans Fighting For Russia Already?

This month, Ukrainian news outlets claimed that six North Korean troops were killed in a missile attack in eastern Donetsk on October 3rd. However, these reports have not been verified.

According to South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, the possibility of sending regular troops is very real because of the agreements that resemble a military partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow, which he mentioned earlier this month.

The Kremlin dismissed the allegation, labeling it as "another instance of misinformation."

If confirmed, the deployment of North Korean troops would strengthen the dwindling forces of the Russian military. Although neither side shares details about their casualties, the New York Times has reported that Russia has suffered at least 115,000 military fatalities and around 500,000 injuries since the conflict began over two years ago.

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal that referenced anonymous sources, approximately one million individuals from Ukraine and Russia have either lost their lives or been injured since the conflict started last month.

In the past, there have been claims that North Korea dispatched civilian workers to assist with rebuilding efforts in Ukrainian areas that were taken over by Russia following the start of the war in February 2022.

Benefits Of Troops In Ukraine For Pyongyang

North Korea's close alliance with Moscow has grown considerably since Mr. Kim made an unusual trip to Russia for an international visit last year.

Earlier this year, Mr. Putin traveled to the North, where he and the other leader signed a defense agreement. This pact emphasizes that both nations will provide support to each other “using all available means” if either one faces aggression.

Andrei Lankov, the head of the Korea Risk Group, stated that the North could obtain financial support from Russia in exchange for deploying soldiers to the frontlines in Ukraine. This financial assistance is crucial for Pyongyang as it works to enhance its nuclear capabilities.

Mr. Lankov explained to the BBC that Pyongyang could receive substantial financial support and possibly gain access to Russian military technology that Moscow would typically be hesitant to share with North Korea.

"It would provide their troops with actual combat experience, but there's also the danger of exposing North Koreans to life in the West, which is significantly more affluent."

Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that if North Korea were to participate in the conflict, it would indicate a notable strengthening of its military relationship with Russia.

"This suggests that Russia is reaching a new point of desperation, as it faces heavy losses on the battlefield in its harsh conflict with Ukraine," he stated, according to The Guardian.

In a display of solidarity, Russia used its veto power in March to block a UN resolution that would have eliminated oversight by UN experts regarding the Security Council's sanctions on North Korea. This move led to claims from Western nations that Moscow was trying to protect its arms deals with Pyongyang to support its military actions in Ukraine.

According to South Korea, North Korea has sent around 7,000 containers packed with weapons to Russia over the past year in exchange for approximately 9,000 containers from Russia that are probably filled with humanitarian assistance.

US And Allies: Their Response Explained

This week, U.S. officials stated that they were unable to verify Ukrainian assertions regarding the presence of North Korean troops, but they are currently reviewing the information.

"We are worried about them and ... we have decided to keep a close eye on the situation," the State Department stated on Wednesday.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that there is "no proof" indicating that North Korean troops are participating in the conflict.

He expressed deep concern about North Korea backing Russia with the provision of weapons, technology, and innovative support to aid their military campaign.

The United States, Japan, and South Korea released a collaborative declaration denouncing North Korea for its advancements in nuclear weapons and missile technology, as well as its growing military ties with Russia and involvement in suspected illicit activities aimed at financing its weaponry programs. The declaration also emphasized Washington's strong assurance to protect its allies.