"They thought they were fighting Americans. Instead, they found themselves in the trenches of Ukraine."
Reports of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine are shocking not just because of their presence, but because of how they got there—lured by deception, driven by desperation, and bound by fear. These troops, hastily deployed with little training in modern warfare, were told they were battling their lifelong enemy: the United States. If caught, their entire family would be executed. [1]
But these soldiers are not warriors fighting for a cause of their own. They are expendable pieces in a geopolitical game where North Korea and Russia reap the benefits while they pay the price. Pyongyang gains military experience, political leverage, and possibly even nuclear technology, while Moscow fills its ranks with desperate, ill-prepared men. The question isn’t whether these soldiers are mercenaries or strategic assets—it’s whether they ever had a choice in the first place.
Reports revealing North Korean soldiers' involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence agencies first surfaced in October 2024. [2] Estimates place their numbers between 10,000 and 12,000, with satellite images suggesting that the Russian navy transported them. [3] This deployment followed North Korea’s shipment of over 13,000 containers filled with ammunition to Russia. [2]
Unlike mercenaries who seek financial or strategic gain, these North Korean soldiers had little say in their deployment. According to South Korean intelligence, they have been stationed on the front lines in Russia’s Kursk region since February 2025. [4] The Kursk region, which Ukraine had hoped to leverage in negotiations, is now a battleground where Putin is throwing in North Korean troops as cannon fodder alongside more advanced Russian drones. [5]
Recent North Korean defectors with military backgrounds provide insight into the grim reality these soldiers face. Many had never encountered drones—one of the most widely used weapons in the Russia-Ukraine conflict—exposing their total lack of preparation. [4] They were not sent to fight as equals but as disposable reinforcements in a war they were never meant to survive.
Even when captured, these soldiers remain trapped by the system that sent them. In January, Ukrainian forces took two North Korean soldiers alive. [4] When questioned, they revealed they had no idea they were fighting in Ukraine. They had been told they were killing Americans—an enemy they had been conditioned from childhood to hate. This misinformation further underscores how they were manipulated into battle, stripped of any real agency in their fate.
The consequences of this forced deployment have been severe. The North Korean troops have suffered heavy casualties, with Ukraine reporting at least 3,000 deaths. [5] Video evidence highlights their lack of preparation, showing them firing blindly at long-range drones. [4] Some have been reassigned to operate North Korean missile technology on the battlefield, [6] but even with technical roles, they remain expendable assets rather than skilled combatants. Despite the high death toll, reports suggest they are adapting—now accompanied by experienced Russian drone operators. [7]
International reactions have been mixed, though there is widespread concern over the deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea. The hypocrisy of Russia’s outrage at the possibility of European troops supporting Ukraine, while secretly deploying foreign forces itself, has drawn sharp criticism. [8] North Korea, as expected, has dismissed these reports as “groundless rumors,” while Russia claims “conflicting information” prevents it from confirming or denying the soldiers’ presence. [8]
The question remains: Why is North Korea sending its people to fight in a foreign war? The motivations are varied, but they serve Pyongyang and Moscow—never the soldiers themselves. Economically, Russia is one of North Korea’s key trading partners, supplying crucial resources like oil. Politically, North Korea may be strengthening its ties with both Russia and China, ensuring it remains relevant in a shifting global order. The war also provides North Korea with rare combat experience, allowing it to test its military capabilities in a real battlefield for the first time since the 1950s. [8] North Korean artillery and missile technology are being used in Ukraine, offering Pyongyang valuable insights into their performance. [3]
More concerning is South Korean intelligence’s claim that North Korea may be exchanging soldiers for nuclear technology. “The arrangement would mirror one Russia has with Iran, in which Moscow has been sharing technology on nuclear issues with Tehran in exchange for weapons and military support in Ukraine,” raising alarms about the implications of such an exchange. [9] If true, this would mean North Korean troops are not just human shields in this war—they are bargaining chips in a deal that could reshape global security threats.
For the soldiers themselves, the motivations for enlisting are painfully simple: survival. Given North Korea’s ongoing famine, enlisting may offer them a rare chance to eat. [4] In 2024, North Korea also sent over 13,000 workers to Russia, reducing its domestic burden while fulfilling Russia’s labor demands. [10] These soldiers are no different—exported as commodities in a war where their value is measured not in victories but in their willingness to die.
Though North Korea’s motivations are complex, one fact is clear: these soldiers are not warriors fighting for a cause. They are pawns sacrificed for the ambitions of their leaders. Will their presence significantly impact the war? Their ammunition might, but their soldiers? Probably not. However, in a protracted conflict, even the most expendable pawns can shift the board—whether they want to or not.
