North Korean military personnel continue to take part in russia's war against Ukraine on the side of the aggressor, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence. In a statement released on February 4, the Defense Intelligence reported that units of the Korean People's Army remain deployed in russia's Kursk region, which Moscow uses as a launch area for attacks against Ukrainian border communities.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korean troops are directly involved in combat and support operations. Their activities include firing tube artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, conducting aerial and artillery reconnaissance, and adjusting MLRS strikes. This indicates operational integration with russian forces rather than a symbolic or advisory presence.
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A key objective of Pyongyang's involvement appears to be the acquisition of practical experience in modern warfare. Ukrainian intelligence highlights a strong focus on mastering unmanned technologies, reconnaissance, and battlefield coordination, capabilities that have become decisive in the war and remain limited within North Korean forces.
The deployment in Kursk region is not static. As part of agreements between Moscow and Pyongyang, North Korean personnel stationed there are regularly rotated. This system allows a larger number of soldiers to cycle through combat and operational roles, maximising exposure to real-world battlefield conditions without committing large formations permanently.
The Defense Intelligence estimates that since the beginning of North Korea's participation in the war, approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already returned home after completing their rotations. These troops are described as trained and combat-experienced, having gained firsthand knowledge of modern combined-arms warfare.
Upon returning to North Korea, most of these personnel reportedly transition into instructor roles. Their task is to disseminate the skills and lessons learned in Ukraine across the wider North Korean military, potentially accelerating doctrinal and tactical adaptation within the Korean People's Army.
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