North Korea Sends Troops, Missiles, Ammunition to Russia

North Korea has transferred some 14,000 soldiers and numerous amount of arms including 100 plus ballistic missiles to Russia since the launch of its invasion of Ukraine, a new report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) has revealed. The report describes a broader military support campaign from Pyongyang, which also includes rocket launchers, vehicles, self-propelled guns and heavy artillery. The supplied ballistic missiles are believed to have been fired in assaults on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.

By Oskar Malec | Last Updated: 30 May 2025

It noted that both Russia and North Korea are evading the international sanctions regime through illicit networks. The member states of the MSMT are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US (pictured: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un with Russian President Vladmir Putin). This cooperation has allowed Moscow to intensify missile strikes while also attacking civilian infrastructure, contributing to broad-scale destruction, the report says.

The Hand Over of Armaments for Technology and Fuel
As a result, in return for its military support to the hermit kingdom, North Korea has obtained air defence systems, anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare systems and refined oil from Russia. Moscow also has, separately, shared data feedback with Pyongyang in which to assist in the development of the guidance systems of North Korean ballistic missiles. This transaction has enabled North Korea to finance and facilitate advancement of its weapons of mass destruction programs that are in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The report ominously forecasts that this military alliance is expected to persist and become more integrated. There is also fear that Russia may provide North Korea with access to advanced space and satellite technology in exchange for the North’s continued assistance in fighting the war.

Involvement of Troops and Rising Tensions
North Korean military personnel were reportedly sent to the Russian region of Kursk as early as November last year where they fought at the front line to reclaim Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced their presence in April; Pyongyang acknowledged them as well. About 11,000 troops were sent in 2023, and a further 3,000 in early 2024, but they were pulled back from combat in January after suffering heavy losses.

In the face of all evidence, both governments still reject allegations of arms sales. But in a defense pact that the two nations signed last year, both committed to come to the assistance of the other if one were attacked. Putin has also not ruled out arming North Korea in response to Western arming of Ukraine.

Tensions have surged as Ukraine’s allies recently removed restrictions on long-range missile use. The news follows mounting anger over the lack of progress on building peace, and new Russian air raids on Ukrainian cities.

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