North Korea intends to significantly increase its military presence in the war of Russia against Ukraine. According to CNN with reference to Ukrainian intelligence, the DPRK plans to send another 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers, which will be completed by a contingent of about 11,000 servicemen.
New forces are expected to arrive in Russia in the coming months. Some of them will be involved directly in the hostilities in the occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular within large -scale offenses. The troops will be integrated into Russian combat units, and the Russian Defense Ministry has undertaken to provide them with everything necessary - from weapons to equipment.
Western analysts also report that at least 4,000 North Korean soldiers who have already participated in hostilities were killed or injured. Despite the losses, military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyan is only deepening. Active logistics training is observed: Russian military aircraft are converted for transportation of personnel, and satellite images recorded the arrival of a connected cargo ship to the Russian port and a cargo aircraft at Sunan Airport in the DPRK.
These actions are also accompanied by political steps. The Ukrainian Parliamentary Committee has already supported the project of the Decree on the recognition of North Korea by the aggressor country through its military assistance to Russia.
It should be reminded that for the first time North Korea sent 11,000 of its military to Russia in the fall of 2024 in conditions of complete secrecy. The participation of the North Korean contingent in the war against Ukraine was officially confirmed only in the spring of 2025. Subsequently, Kim Jong -in announced the direction of military builders and sappers to the Kursk region of Russia.
