North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers and millions of Troops and Missiles, including missiles and rockets, to Russia over the past year, according to a new report from an international watchdog. The report highlights how Pyongyang has helped Moscow in its ongoing war against Ukraine, causing widespread harm to civilians.
The report was released Thursday by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), a group made up of 11 United Nations member countries. This team was created after Russia forced the end of a previous UN panel that monitored sanctions against North Korea.
While some details were already known such as North Korea sending Troops and Missilesto fight alongside Russia the report reveals the full scale of weapons sent from North Korea since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The findings include up to 9 million rounds of artillery and ammunition delivered in 2024, more than 11,000 North Korean troops sent last year, and an additional 3,000 Troops and Missiles in early 2025. It also lists rocket launchers, vehicles, self-propelled guns, and heavy artillery. Importantly, North Korea supplied at least 100 ballistic missiles, which were used by Russia to attack civilian areas like Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, causing terror among the population.
The report states that this illegal cooperation between North Korea and Russia has helped Moscow increase missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting essential civilian infrastructure.
In exchange, Russia has provided North Korea with Troops and Missiles and technology, including air defense systems, anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare equipment, and refined oil.
This report sheds light on the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia Helps North Korea Improve Ballistic Troops and Missiles Amid Ongoing Arms Transfers
According to the latest report, Moscow has been providing North Korea with data to improve the guidance systems of its Troops and Missiles. This cooperation allows Pyongyang to fund its military programs and further develop missile technology, despite multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions banning such activities.
The report’s findings come from information gathered by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), which includes 11 UN member states. It also cites evidence from the Open Source Centre (OSC), a UK-based nonprofit using publicly available data, and Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a UK research organization.
Both Russia and North Korea are accused of violating the UN arms embargo by transferring weapons and military equipment through secret networks designed to bypass sanctions. The report warns that this military cooperation between the two countries will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
In response, the MSMT member countries Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States released a joint statement calling on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy to resolve the situation.
Concerns Grow Over Deepening Russia-North Korea Military Partnership
Western governments are increasingly worried about the growing strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. Recent reports suggest that Russia may soon share advanced space and satellite technology with North Korea in return for ongoing support in the war in Ukraine.
In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed for the first time that North Korean soldiers fought alongside Russian forces to reclaim territory in the Kursk region, following Ukraine’s incursion last year. North Korea also publicly acknowledged its troop presence there. However, Ukrainian officials say North Korean troops withdrew from the front lines in January after suffering heavy casualties.
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Despite strong evidence, both Russia and North Korea deny that Pyongyang is supplying Troops and Missiles to Moscow. Still, under a defense pact signed last year, both countries have promised to provide full military support if either is attacked.
Putin has warned that Russia would supply arms to North Korea if the West continues sending weapons to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies recently lifted a ban on Kyiv firing long-range missiles into Russia. This change comes after intense Russian aerial attacks on the Ukrainian capital and other regions, and growing frustration from the US over Putin’s failure to negotiate a peace deal.
The situation highlights rising tensions and the complex military alliances shaping the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
FAQs;
1. What has North Korea sent to Russia during the Ukraine war?
North Korea has reportedly sent over 14,000 troops, at least 100 ballistic missiles, millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket launchers, vehicles, and heavy artillery to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
2. How has North Korea’s aid impacted the war in Ukraine?
The weapons and troops provided by North Korea have enabled Russia to intensify missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, especially targeting civilian infrastructure.
3. What has Russia offered North Korea in return?
In exchange for military support, Russia has allegedly provided North Korea with air defense systems, anti-aircraft missiles, electronic warfare equipment, refined oil, and technical feedback to improve its missile guidance systems.
4. Are North Korea and Russia violating international laws?
Yes. According to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), both nations are violating UN arms embargoes by transferring weapons and equipment through secret, sanction-evading networks.
5. What is the international response to the North Korea–Russia alliance?
Western nations, including the US and its allies, have expressed growing concern. They’ve urged North Korea to return to diplomacy and have recently lifted restrictions on Ukraine firing long-range missiles into Russia in response to continued Russian aggression.
