North Korea appears to have dispatched fresh troops to reinforce Russian forces struggling on the Ukrainian front lines, South Korea’s spy network disclosed Wednesday.
It remains unclear exactly how many North Korean soldiers were deployed, but in January another round of 1,000 to 3,000 North Koreans were sent to a battlefield that’s become a meat-grinder for the invaders.
The latest round of troops are believed to have been sent to the Kursk region, where North Korean soldiers were reportedly withdrawn in early February after suffering heavy losses, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (L) walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a welcoming ceremony upon Putin’s arrival in Pyongyang, early on June 19, 2024. POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSince about 12,000 North Korean troops first joined the fight in the fall, upwards of 4,000 of their disciplined but woefully inexperienced soldiers have been slaughtered, by Ukraine’s estimation.
US intelligence places the number of North Korean dead closer to 1,200.
In addition to boots on the ground, North Korea has also been supplying vast amounts of munitions to Russia to assist their invasion.
The reinforcements come as desperately needed help for Russia’s military, which has lost a devastating number of troops since it attacked Ukraine in February, 2022 – with Russian casualties reaching nearly 900,000 as the war enters its fourth year, Ukrainian officials estimate.
Ukraine has suffered a comparatively paltry 45,000 casualties throughout the conflict.
North Korean troops have been killed fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region, the US has said. EyePress News/Shutterstock
Kim Jong Un (C) clapping during a visit to Kim Il Sung University of Politics in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Feb. 24, 2025. KCNA/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockNorth Korea is believed to be receiving economic assistance from Russia in return for their help – but South Korean and US officials are fearful nuclear and other high-tech weaponry could also be part of the exchange.
Reports of the fresh deployments come a week after talks to end the war reached a new phase when US officials met with Russia in Saudi Arabia, and both parties agreed to begin working to wind down the fighting and improve ties.
It marked a significant shift from the Biden administration’s policies of the last three years to isolate Russia from the world, as President Trump has become increasingly vocal about his plans to bring an end to the war.
Ukrainian officials were not present for the talks.
North Korean president Kim Jong Un is expected to continue sending troops to assist Russia in the hopes of currying more favor from President Vladimir Putin as the prospect of the war’s end grows, according to officials.
With Post wires.
