Ukrainian military intelligence has disclosed that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to bolster its military efforts. According to Major General Kyrylo Budanov, the contingent includes around 1,000 engineers and sappers among other personnel. Reports suggest these North Korean forces will not engage directly in combat within Ukraine but rather aim to enhance Russia’s support capabilities, freeing up Russian troops for offensive operations.
Approximately 90 North Korean soldiers are currently based in Voronezh, assisting Russian forces with missile launches. Overall, nearly 25,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly rotated through Russia to date.
Collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang extends beyond troop deployments. North Korea is actively supplying missile technology and munitions to Russia, Budanov noted. As of August last year, North Korea had delivered at least 150 ballistic missiles of types KN-23 and KN-24 to Russia, with an additional 120 promised. These missiles are increasingly challenging for Ukraine’s air defense systems, particularly given the dwindling stocks of Patriot systems capable of intercepting such threats.
Logistical support has included around 10 large cargo flights from North Korea landing at an airfield near Voronezh, presumed to be carrying additional missiles. The new missile variants reportedly have a range of up to 800 kilometers but often miss their targets by 15-19 kilometers. North Korea utilizes combat launches against Ukraine to refine its missile technologies.
In exchange for its military assistance, North Korea is seeking advanced air defense systems from Russia. Budanov reported that Pyongyang has requested the S-400 system and has already received the Pantsir-1 surface-to-air missile system.
Contextualizing these developments, Russia commenced using North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 missiles to strike Ukraine in late 2023. North Korean soldiers have been involved in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict on the side of the aggressor since October 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on July 30 that North Korean missiles had been used to attack the village of Radushne in the Dnipropetrovsk region, resulting in civilian casualties. On August 5, Andriy Chernyak from the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence warned that North Korea is deploying a missile unit in Russia equipped with over 100 ballistic missiles. Additionally, a report from August 20 indicated that North Korea may have supplied Russia with new ballistic missiles not previously utilized in the conflict.
