Ukraine’s military intelligence service reported on Thursday that North Korean units trained in Russia have been deployed to the Kursk region, a Russian border area where Ukrainian forces launched a significant incursion in August 2024. This marks a new phase of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, despite previous denials from Moscow.
Kremlin’s Response and Putin’s Stance
While the Kremlin has previously dismissed reports of North Korean troop deployments as “fake news,” Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Thursday that how Moscow implements its partnership treaty with Pyongyang is “its own business.” He did not deny the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
“The first units of the military from the DPRK, which were trained at the eastern Russian training grounds, have already arrived in the combat zone of the Russian-Ukrainian war,” Ukraine’s intelligence agency stated. The agency further noted that as of October 23, 2024, North Korean forces had been observed in the Kursk region.
North Korean Troop Deployment Details
According to Ukraine’s intelligence, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, are already in Russia, undergoing training at five military bases. The Ukrainian report also indicated that Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been tasked with overseeing the training of these North Korean forces.
Ukraine has called for a strong response from its allies, urging them to impose new sanctions on North Korea and further isolate Pyongyang for its involvement in the ongoing conflict.
U.S. and South Korean Confirmation
On Wednesday, the United States reported that it had evidence of North Korea sending 3,000 troops to Russia, with the possibility of deploying them to Ukraine. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed this, stating that North Korea had shipped 3,000 troops, including special forces, to Russia’s Far East. These troops are reportedly being trained and acclimatized at military bases before potential combat deployment in Ukraine.
Growing Russia-North Korea Ties
The relationship between Russia and North Korea has deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In June 2024, the two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal, which included a mutual assistance clause to help each other repel external aggression.
Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying ballistic missiles and ammunition to Russia to support its war effort. While Pyongyang has denied these claims, evidence of military cooperation between the two countries continues to emerge.
