North Korea confirms sending troops to Russia to fight in Ukraine war

Pyongyang acknowledges military support for Moscow in Kursk region battles.

A file image of Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin is displayed during a news program in Seoul on April 28, 2025. Photo by Ahn Young-joon/AP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

For the first time, North Korea confirms sending troops to Russia, officially acknowledging its direct participation in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. In a bold front-page statement published Monday in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper, North Korean authorities praised their soldiers’ actions as "heroic feats" in Russia’s western Kursk region.

The confirmation by Pyongyang follows months of widespread claims by U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean officials, who reported as early as last fall that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to support Russia. Thousands of these soldiers are believed to have died on the battlefield. Two captured North Korean prisoners of war previously spoke publicly, and abandoned North Korean equipment and handwritten notes have offered glimpses into how these troops adapted to the realities of modern warfare.

The news broke shortly after Russia’s official acknowledgment Sunday, in which Moscow applauded joint military efforts between Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk. Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, hailed the fighters as “heroes” who embodied the "honor of the motherland," and pledged to erect a monument in Pyongyang to commemorate their sacrifices.

“The fighting spirit and heroism of the soldiers who demonstrated the great name of the strong and the glory of the victors will shine long in the high platform of respect and honor generation after generation,” Kim said in his official statement.

Despite confirming the deployment, North Korea did not disclose how many troops it had sent to Kursk. Until now, both Moscow and Pyongyang had only indirectly hinted at North Korea’s involvement, previously suggesting that if such reports were accurate, they would align with the 2024 comprehensive strategic pact signed between the two nations. This pact commits both countries to mutual support in the event of military aggression.

International condemnation follows North Korean involvement

The U.S. State Department swiftly responded to the confirmation, telling South Korea’s Yonhap News that North Korea’s direct participation—along with support from other third-party nations—has "perpetuated" the ongoing war in Ukraine and contributed to the suffering there.

"We continue to be concerned by the DPRK’s direct involvement in the war. The DPRK’s military deployment to Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation to the DPRK in return must end," the U.S. statement said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Western analysts warn that this growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea marks a serious escalation in global tensions. It represents a strengthening of alliances against the West, complicating diplomatic efforts to isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

North Korea has been among Russia’s most vocal supporters since the outbreak of the conflict. Kim Jong Un has consistently pledged "full support" for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “sacred war for regional peace and international justice,” framing Moscow’s war effort as a legitimate struggle against Western hegemony.

Heavy North Korean casualties and adaptation to modern warfare

Reports from Ukrainian front-line commanders suggest that the North Korean troops initially suffered devastating losses after their deployment. Many North Korean soldiers displayed extreme loyalty, often fighting to the death or using grenades to commit suicide rather than face capture.

Despite the heavy casualties, Ukrainian forces noted that North Korean troops quickly adapted their tactics, becoming more effective over time. This adaptation reflects the rigorous military indoctrination and discipline associated with North Korea’s armed forces.

This deployment represents the first large-scale participation of North Korean combat troops in a foreign war, a move that breaks from Pyongyang’s traditionally cautious approach to overseas conflicts.

Russia and North Korea claim “victory” in Kursk

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian and allied forces had successfully recaptured the Kursk region, a critical area previously penetrated by Ukrainian forces during their offensive last August. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, disputed Putin’s announcement, asserting that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain a presence in Kursk.

Nevertheless, North Korea confirms sending troops to Russia by celebrating the so-called victory in Kursk as a pivotal moment in its growing alliance with Moscow. North Korean media portrayed the outcome as a triumph for justice and a testament to the unbreakable bond between the two nations.

“The victorious conclusion of the operations for liberating the Kursk area is a victory of justice against injustice and, at the same time, a new chapter of history which demonstrated the highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship between the two countries,” stated Rodong Sinmun.

The article further vowed that cooperation between North Korea and Russia would expand "in all aspects," including political, economic, and military domains.

Broader implications for the global order

The revelation that North Korean soldiers are directly involved in fighting in Ukraine heightens concerns about the evolution of global alliances. It marks a visible convergence of interests between authoritarian regimes that oppose the influence of Western democracies.

Analysts believe that in return for its military support, North Korea is likely receiving economic aid and potentially weapons technology from Russia. This exchange could boost Pyongyang’s ambitions to further modernize its nuclear and missile programs, posing additional threats to regional stability in East Asia.

The Biden administration and its allies have previously warned that any material or military support flowing between Russia and North Korea could have far-reaching consequences. Sanctions and diplomatic pressures are expected to intensify as the West seeks to curb this dangerous new partnership.

A significant shift in North Korean military policy

North Korea’s decision to send combat troops to Russia signals a significant departure from its historical foreign policy. Traditionally, Pyongyang has avoided direct military engagements abroad, focusing instead on maintaining a powerful deterrent force at home. Its latest move demonstrates a willingness to project power overseas and signals its deeper integration into Moscow’s orbit.

With North Korea confirming sending troops to Russia, the once-frozen alliances of the Cold War seem to be reviving, raising the stakes not only for Ukraine but for the broader international community.

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the active participation of North Korean forces alongside Russia’s army introduces new complexities to an already volatile conflict—and leaves little doubt that Pyongyang intends to stand firmly behind Moscow in the battles ahead.