![](https://worldnewsradar.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BANNER-RENT-300X47-COLUMN-1.png"){kind=small}
North Korea is reportedly preparing to send up to 30,000 additional troops to support Russia on the Ukrainian front lines, a move that would triple its current military presence in the conflict. This comes as relations between Pyongyang and Moscow continue to deepen, with recent assessments by Ukrainian intelligence and confirmations from Western officials indicating preparations for a massive deployment in the coming months.
I. Escalating Military Cooperation
1. Expansion of North Korean Troop Deployment
According to Ukrainian intelligence shared with CNN, North Korea plans to increase its military personnel in Russia by deploying 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers. These new troops would supplement the 11,000 North Korean forces sent in November 2024, of which approximately 4,000 were reportedly killed or wounded.
2. Russia’s Support and Integration Plans
The report states that Russia is ready to supply weapons, ammunition, and gear to facilitate the integration of North Korean troops into its combat units. The forces are expected to participate in offensive operations in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
II. Signs of Mobilization
1. Transport Infrastructure and Logistics
There are indicators that Russian military aircraft are being modified to transport personnel, and satellite imagery shows activity consistent with troop movement at North Korea’s Sunan airport and Russia’s Dunai port.
2. Recurrent Use of Troop Transport Ships
A Ropucha-class ship, previously used to ferry troops, was observed again at the Dunai port in May, suggesting preparations for another wave of North Korean soldiers.
3. Aircraft Movements and Satellite Surveillance
Imagery from June shows IL76 cargo planes at Sunan airport, the same type used in previous deployments. Analysts believe this indicates the reactivation of known deployment routes.
III. Strategic and Political Context
1. Analysis from Security Experts
Experts like Jenny Town from the Stimson Center believe the numbers may be slightly inflated but plausible, suggesting phased deployment. She noted past rumors of Russian generals training North Korean forces inside DPRK.
2. Ukrainian and Allied Reactions
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov warned that Kim Jong Un risks significant losses among elite units, revealing Moscow’s growing dependence on authoritarian allies. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top commander reported a Russian buildup near Pokrovsk.
3. Russia-North Korea Diplomatic Engagement
Putin adviser Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang twice in June, announcing plans to send 1,000 North Korean sappers and 5,000 construction workers to assist with military infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk region.
IV. Evidence of Deepening Military Ties
1. Domestic Preparations and Training
South Korean intelligence noted North Korea began selecting personnel for deployment as early as July. Russian media also shared footage of North Korean troops training and integrating with Russian forces.
2. Joint Operations and Frontline Presence
Videos from TASS depicted North Koreans clearing buildings alongside Russian soldiers and training to neutralize drones, showing a high level of coordination not previously observed.
3. Kim Jong Un’s Direct Involvement
Kim was recently seen inspecting special forces units, suggesting personal involvement in the deployment process. Analysts link his presence to planning for additional troop movements.
V. Missiles, Artillery, and Arms Transfers
1. North Korean Ballistic Missile Usage
Ukrainian intelligence detailed 82 uses of North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 missiles, including a January 2024 strike that killed 11 civilians in Pokrovsk.
2. Training Manuals and Equipment Sharing
Ukraine obtained North Korean artillery manuals translated into Russian, highlighting the growing interoperability between the two militaries. Online footage shows increasing numbers of North Korean artillery pieces at the front.
3. Massive Arms Shipments
A recent UN report confirmed Pyongyang supplied at least 100 ballistic missiles and nine million artillery shells to Russia in 2024. South Korea also noted the arrival of 3,000 more North Korean troops earlier this year.
Conclusion
North Korea’s commitment to supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict marks a significant escalation in military cooperation between the two authoritarian regimes. The deployment of tens of thousands of North Korean troops, alongside growing weapons transfers and training exchanges, underscores a deepening alliance. While the full scale of Pyongyang’s involvement remains uncertain, analysts agree that the partnership reflects both countries’ mutual strategic interests amid mounting international scrutiny.
