North Korea soldiers, weapons helped Russia at critical moment in war on Ukraine

15/4/2025 19:01

North Korean soldiers joined the fight alongside Russian troops late last year, helping their ally turn the tide on a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's western Kursk region.



Lacking armored vehicles and drone warfare experience, the Koreans took heavy casualties, but adapted quickly. North Korea has sent an estimated total of 14,000 troops, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace its losses, Ukrainian officials say.



North Korea has not just offered the lives of its men in Russia. Much more significant for Russia's strategy are the armaments flowing into Ukraine's eastern front.



For nearly 20 months, millions of North Korean shells have made their way to the frontlines in shipments by sea and then by train, according to a Reuters investigation in conjunction with the Open Source Centre. At times over the past year, the vast majority of shells fired by some Russian units were from North

Korea, Reuters found.