In a significant development, North Korea has bolstered its military support to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the transfer of thousands of soldiers and military supplies.
Troop Deployments and Casualties
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea transferred around 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia in January and February to compensate for the high battlefield losses experienced by Russian forces fighting against Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that North Korean forces operating for Russia have suffered approximately 4,000 casualties, with two-thirds of these soldiers killed during the ongoing conflict.
Reasons Behind High Losses
The chief of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, has pointed out that the elevated casualty rates among North Korean troops can be attributed to their lack of combat experience and their reliance on human wave attacks, often with limited military equipment.
Military Supplies and Exchange
In addition to troop deployments, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with various military assets, including short-range ballistic missiles, 170 mm self-propelled howitzers, and 240 mm multiple rocket launchers. This military collaboration has made North Korea a crucial partner for Russia, as they provide essential artillery shells, missiles, and combat personnel in return for oil products and advanced rocket technology.
Impact on the Conflict
Last fall, up to 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Kursk Oblast to assist Russian forces in pushing back a Ukrainian incursion that began in August 2024. Ukrainian forces had initially captured around 1,300 square kilometers (approximately 500 square miles) of Russian territory before Russian troops, reinforced by North Korean units, launched a counteroffensive earlier this month, successfully recapturing significant ground, including the strategic town of Sudzha.
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