North Korea gains military experience through support for Russia, Ukraine warns

Ahead of Ukraine peace talks between US and Russian leaders on August 15, Kyiv’s military intelligence chief has highlighted North Korea as a growing military power emerging from the Ukraine war.

By backing Moscow’s full-scale invasion, Pyongyang has gained battlefield experience, access to advanced weapons, and modern warfare training, potentially affecting the balance of power in Northeast Asia, Caliber.Az cites The Japan Times article. 

“There are currently only three countries in the world with the experience of waging a modern war on a very long front line using virtually all available conventional means — these are Ukraine, Russia and North Korea,” Ukraine’s Chief of Defense Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, told The Japan Times.

About 12,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been deployed to Ukraine and Russia’s Kursk region, with around 5,000 killed or injured. Budanov cited their “unpreparedness for 21st-century warfare” and coordination issues with Russian troops as key reasons for early high casualties, though he said they “adapted quickly,” adopting modern tactics and equipment.

North Korea is also supplying critical military support to Russia. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Pyongyang provides 40% of Russia’s 122 mm and 152 mm munitions, artillery systems, multiple rocket launchers, and missiles, with production continuing “around the clock in North Korea.” Some weapons, like the KN-23 missile, have been battle-tested and improved through Russian modernization.

North Korea’s military presence is set to expand, with plans for up to 6,000 personnel to clear mines and carry out reconstruction in Kursk, alongside 50–100 units of North Korean equipment, including main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. Budanov questioned whether the deployment’s role will be limited to engineering tasks.

In return, Russia has provided North Korea with money, technology, training, and resources, boosting Pyongyang’s military capabilities. Moscow has also helped train troops, improve drone production, supply electronic warfare systems, and expand military-educational cooperation.

“The Kremlin pays for all military equipment and troops. This is tens of billions of dollars’ worth, and for the economy of North Korea, one of the most isolated in the world, this is very serious money,” Budanov said.

The intelligence chief warned that the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance could undermine China’s influence over North Korea. 

“The risk of impulsive, threatening actions by the North Korean regime should therefore be taken seriously,” he said.

By Sabina Mammadli