North Korea is reportedly preparing to send tens of thousands of additional troops to Russia to support Moscow’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, signaling a potential intensification of the two countries’ defense cooperation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi disclosed on Saturday that preparations have been underway since last month in Russia’s Voronezh region to accommodate an influx of approximately 30,000 North Korean soldiers. He also indicated that Pyongyang may be planning to supply additional missile launchers to bolster Russian forces.

Experts view these developments as plausible and mutually beneficial. Oh Gyeong-seob, a political scientist specializing in North Korea at the Korea Institute for National Unification, described the arrangement as a “win-win deal.” North Korea’s provision of relatively inexpensive frontline personnel presents Russia with a cost-effective means of replenishing its depleted military ranks. In exchange, North Korea is believed to receive financial aid and access to advanced military technology.

Significant North Korean troop deployments to support Russia’s war effort began in late 2024, with around 14,000 soldiers and several thousand military engineers reported to be stationed in the Kursk region. Pyongyang confirmed this initial deployment in April 2025. Analysts estimate that the number of North Korean troops currently involved has remained at similar levels since.

Russia’s demand for foreign personnel has grown as the conflict, which started in February 2022, has stretched on for over four years. The protracted war has diminished the pool of willing Russian recruits, making North Korean manpower a valuable resource. North Korea itself faces challenges sustaining its large military force while simultaneously prioritizing its nuclear and missile programs.

Zelenskyi’s announcement followed a four-day visit to Moscow by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, who met President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to Oh Gyeong-seob, discussions likely focused on deepening military cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024. The treaty includes a mutual defense clause that could serve as a justification for additional North Korean deployments.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University, pointed out that greater military collaboration allows North Korea to advance its modernization efforts by acquiring sophisticated Russian technology, such as drones and battlefield intelligence systems, while reinforcing its status as a nuclear power. For Russia, reliance on North Korean troops helps mitigate the political risks associated with domestic conscription amid ongoing military setbacks.

However, the proposed deployment carries risks for Pyongyang. Heavy casualties or a failure to secure a decisive Russian victory could undermine Kim Jong-un’s leadership and public support for the military commitment. Some analysts remain skeptical about the scale of additional troop deployments. Yang Uk of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies suggested that North Korea might consider its obligations under the 2024 treaty fulfilled and instead focus on operating long-range artillery or securing rear areas, in exchange for Russian military technology transfers.

Lim also noted that expanding military cooperation serves as a strategic message to the United States, South Korea, and Japan, signaling Russia’s readiness to intervene if tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula. A North Korean military force enhanced by frontline combat experience and Russian technology would significantly heighten regional security concerns.

Separately, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit Thailand on August 6 and 7, indicating ongoing regional diplomatic engagements amid broader geopolitical shifts.