North Korean Military Engineers Reportedly Aid Russia in Ukraine Conflict

 

North Korean military engineers have reportedly been deployed to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, with some already killed during the fighting, according to senior officials from Kyiv and Seoul. The engineers are believed to be supporting Russia’s missile operations, particularly the KN-23 missile launch systems.

This revelation comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia last year, where he and Russian President Vladimir Putin strengthened their relationship through a secret arms agreement. North Korea's shipments of ammunition have been critical in helping Russia sustain its military campaign, but it is now apparent that the deal involved more than just supplies.

Reports indicate that North Korean engineers were among those killed in a recent Ukrainian missile strike near Donetsk, a region occupied by Russian forces. It remains unclear whether these individuals were military engineers or other personnel. If confirmed, this would mark the first instance of North Korean troops being involved in combat alongside Russian forces.

South Korea's defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, informed lawmakers that it is "highly likely" North Korean officers were present in Russia and some had perished in the conflict. Meanwhile, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, stated via Telegram that North Korean personnel had indeed been killed on Russian soil.

The Ukrainian military also reported the destruction of North Korean ammunition in a strike on a depot in the Bryansk region, located 75 miles from the Ukrainian border. North Korea’s participation in the war provides an opportunity for its troops to gain combat experience and test weapons, according to Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul.

Despite their poor quality, North Korean shells and missiles have played a significant role in keeping Russian forces equipped for relentless attacks on Ukraine. Estimates suggest that North Korea has supplied roughly half of the larger-caliber ammunition used by Russian forces, amounting to over two million rounds. Additionally, the KN-23 missile, which North Korea supplied, was employed in numerous strikes across Ukraine.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any arms sales, though they have publicly celebrated their closer ties in recent months. The Kremlin dismissed reports of North Korean troop involvement as "fake news," while Kim Jong-un referred to Putin as his "closest comrade" in a recent birthday message. In return for its military aid, North Korea is reportedly seeking Russian assistance with its faltering satellite program.

North Korea, which has long been subjected to UN sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, is attempting to solidify alliances with Russia and China to counter what it perceives as "western hegemony." This strategy bore fruit in March when Russia used its UN Security Council veto to end UN monitoring of sanctions violations, a move welcomed by Pyongyang.