North Koreans Deployed with Russian Forces in Ukraine

Department of Strategic Security and Military Research and Studies 10-10-2024

Sources suggest that North Korean military engineers are collaborating with Russian troops in Ukraine, aiding missile operations, with reports of North Korean casualties near Donetsk.

According to senior officials from Kyiv and Seoul, North Korean military engineers have been stationed alongside Russian forces, specifically helping to launch ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine. There are claims of North Korean personnel being killed in action within Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine.

An unnamed Ukrainian source shared that North Korean teams, working behind Russian lines, have been assisting with the operation of KN-23 missile systems. This development follows a 2023 summit between North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, where the two countries strengthened their alliance, reportedly involving a covert arms agreement.

The supply of North Korean ammunition has played a crucial role in supporting Russian advancements during intense fighting in eastern Ukraine over the summer. However, this collaboration seems to go beyond mere arms supplies. According to South Korean and Ukrainian officials, North Koreans were among those killed by a Ukrainian missile strike in Russian-occupied territory near Donetsk. It remains unclear if those killed were military engineers or other personnel.

While foreign fighters have served as mercenaries for Russia, the presence of North Korean forces would mark the first instance of a foreign government formally deploying uniformed soldiers to support Moscow’s war efforts.

South Korea’s defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, indicated in recent parliamentary discussions that it is highly probable North Korean officers have been fighting alongside Russian troops, with several reportedly dying in the recent missile strike. Details, however, remain sparse.

Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, confirmed via Telegram that North Korean personnel had been killed on Russian soil. His center operates under Ukraine’s national security and defense council.

Additionally, Ukrainian military forces reported the destruction of North Korean ammunition during a strike on a depot in Russia’s Bryansk region, approximately 60 miles from Ukraine’s border.

North Korea’s involvement in the conflict offers them the opportunity to test weapons, gain combat experience, and reinforce ties with Russia, a key ally. Professor Lim Eul-chul of the Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul suggested that North Korea’s participation may also be driven by the desire to train its soldiers in various combat situations and enhance their military proficiency.

Although North Korean missiles and artillery have been criticized for their unreliable quality, they have played a vital role in maintaining Russia’s relentless bombardment of Ukrainian forces. A Ukrainian source estimated that Pyongyang supplied approximately 50% of the large-caliber ammunition used on the battlefield this year, totaling over two million rounds. North Korea also provided KN-23 missiles, which were used in numerous attacks across Ukraine last winter and re-deployed from July.

The KN-23, a short-range ballistic missile tested by North Korea in 2019, is comparable to Russia’s Iskander-M missile, with an estimated range of 280 miles (450 kilometers) and a warhead capacity of 500 kilograms.

Despite publicly celebrating closer ties in recent months, both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any exchange of weapons. The Kremlin dismissed reports of North Korean troop involvement in Ukraine, calling them “fake news.”

Kim Jong-un recently referred to Vladimir Putin as his “closest comrade” in a birthday message, while Putin made a state visit to North Korea in June, signing a mutual aid agreement with the North Korean leader.

In return for military support, North Korea is reportedly seeking Russian assistance with its struggling spy satellite program, which has faced significant setbacks over the last two years. However, it is unclear how much advanced military technology Russia is willing to share with North Korea as the war in Ukraine continues.

North Korea, after years of sanctions targeting its missile and nuclear programs, is seeking stronger alliances with Russia and China to counter what it sees as “Western imperialism and hegemony.” This strategy has already paid off; in March, Russia vetoed UN Security Council measures that had monitored sanctions violations against North Korea, a move welcomed by Pyongyang.