North Korea has been gaining modern battlefield experience and advanced military technology through its troops’ active involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian military official.
Pyongyang sends troops as well as military hardware and supplies to Moscow as part of a defense pact signed last year. In exchange, the Kremlin provides money, advanced military training, and technology to the isolationist regime.
This development affects the security of both Europe and Asia, and “may weaken Beijing’s leverage” over its nuclear-capable neighbor, used as a buffer state against US-allied South Korea, Kyiv’s military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, shared with The Japan Times.
Sending Troops
North Korea deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces last year, with their involvement only confirmed in April 2025, following Moscow’s claim that it retook Kursk from Ukraine.
More than 1,000 casualties among Pyongyang’s forces were reported in December, due to outdated training, as well as poor coordination and language barriers with Russian troops.
However, the North Koreans quickly adapted to modern warfare, which includes operating and countering drones, Budanov said.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s intelligence agency revealed that Pyongyang will send more troops, military builders, and sappers, or combat engineers whose tasks include mine-clearing and construction work, this year.
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Russia. Photo: KCNA
Arms, Ammo to Russia
The isolationist country supplies roughly 40 percent of the Russian army’s 122mm and 152mm munitions, as well as other defense materiel that Moscow cannot produce or procure in time to fill the armed forces’ needs due to numerous sanctions.
Other North Korean military hardware aiding Russia’s war efforts include artillery systems and rounds, as well as anti-air and anti-tank missiles.
Moscow was able to modernize some weapons showing low efficacy on the battlefield, such as increasing the accuracy of the KN-23 short-range ballistic missile.
Enriching the Hermit Kingdom
Russia provides money, technology, training, and other resources in return for North Korean support.
Budanov noted that the Kremlin invests “tens of billions of dollars’ worth” in the isolationist country, paying “for all military equipment and troops.”
It is also helping set up production of Russian variants of the Shahed low-cost, long-range attack drones used against Ukraine.
Aside from gaining 21st-century battlefield experience on the ground, Pyongyang’s armed forces also receive Russian military training on combat drones and air defense systems.