The DPRK has officially entered the war: whether to wait for Ukraine "reinforcement" and what will happen to the supplies of ammunition
According to the media, DPRK leader Kim Jong -in decided to participate in the conflict after assessing the situation in accordance with the Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Russian Federation. The troops were sent to Russia by order on the basis of a mutual defense agreement between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The North Korean editions stated that the operation of "liberation of the Kursk region" and counteracting the "adventurous invasion" of Ukraine into the Russian territory was successfully completed. Earlier, on April 26, Russia first recognized the participation of North Korean fighters in hostilities against Ukraine. The head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, said this during a report to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
In October 2022, the US intelligence released information that the DPRK was supplying Russia through intermediaries to hide the violation of the UN sanctions. In 2024, Pyongyan and Moscow signed an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership, which provides for mutual military support. This was the basis for the trip of the troops and the deepening of cooperation.
From 2023 to March 2025, North Korea sent to Russia from 4 to 6 million artillery shells (122 mm and 152 mm), which is half the ammunition required by the Russian Federation on the front. In addition, the DPRK supplies to the Russian troops long-range self-propelled Bulsae-4, solid fuel tactical ballistic missiles KN-23 Hwasong-11GA, M1991 RSSV, self-propelled artillery installations "Coxan", howitzers D-30, reactive grenade grenades.
In particular, the last missile attack on Kiev, which claimed the lives of 12 people, was carried out by North Korean missiles. As for the participation of the troops, the first unconfirmed reports of the possible presence of the North Korean military appeared in 2023, but officially recognized only on April 26, 2025. Their stay in the Kursk direction was officially confirmed.
According to the GUR of Ukraine, North Korean soldiers are involved in combat operations, improving the skills of using drones and electronic warfare. 11 to 20 thousand soldiers were sent to the DPRK front, each of which was to receive a salary of $ 2,000. per month. It helps the DPRK of Russia for free. In particular, in three years, the DPRK has received a profit of $ 20 billion, 92% of which is a payment for the armed.
In addition, the DPRK probably receives from Russia military technologies, energy resources, which significantly strengthen its military potential. Experts estimate the low probability that South Korea will start large -scale military assistance to Ukraine against the background of official confirmation of the DPRK in the war. According to the military expert Pavel Zrozhny, Seoul is afraid of aggravation of the military conflict with the DPRK. "Seoul is in the area of artillery fire.
If our capital of Ukraine would be in Sumy. Yes, they have a whole anti-aircraft missile brigade that armed Patriot, but they do not want to risk their economy," the expert said. According to the analyst, South Korea has not yet been able to give Ukraine outdated weapons, which they have a lot of stocks. In particular, it is about howitzers 105 caliber, and 3 million shells to them, SAU XK9 and other types of weapons.
The military-political observer of the Information Resistance group Alexander Kovalenko believes that in this regard the situation with the lack of supply of Ukraine of military assistance to Ukraine by South Korea will not change. "Currently, South Korea is dominated by parties that are peace with North Korea. They do not plan to change the legislation and the Constitution of South Korea, which prohibits military assistance to countries at war," says Focus expert.
According to Pavel Nazhny, North Korea can increase the number of their own military people involved in the Russian-Ukrainian war. "There is a huge risk of greater involvement of North Korean soldiers. Currently, the size of the DPRK army is unknown, it is from 1 million to 1. 5 million soldiers and up to 4 million reservists. That is, those who will instantly receive a summons will find themselves at the front. They can be transformed into infantry, "the expert said.
Oleksandr Kovalenko believes that Russia can start involving North Korea soldier for assault on the territory of Ukraine. According to military expert Oleg Zhdanov, the DPRK is currently working for the maximum of its opportunities to provide military assistance of the Russian Federation. They are currently building 200 weapons production plants, but it takes several years to start them.
"North Korea is currently using outdated technologies in the construction of facilities, so the new deployment of shells can take several years. This can also play a role in China, without which North Korea has hardly cooperated with the Russian Federation. And tomorrow it will not affect the situation at the front," says Focus. Military experts are unanimous in their views that Ukraine is almost impossible to prevent North Korea from producing their own weapons to transfer it to Russia.
"Currently, there are no technical capabilities in the Ukrainian defense forces in the Ukrainian forces of defense. All over a long distance-8-9 thousand kilometers. Ukrainian drones will not fly there,"-says the Narozhny. According to Pavel Nazhny, the military industry of Europe is now within the limits of its ability to produce weapons and ammunition.
The only thing as Europe can help is to use its own military forces, such as the use of air defense in Ukraine during rocket attacks and Shahaneda attacks on peaceful cities and villages. The US position in connection with Trump's chaotic policy is now very unknown. According to Oleg Zhdanov, the official entry of the DPRK in the war will give Ukraine the opportunity to demand more weapons and military assistance from Western partners, including military.
"Now Putin will not be able to deny that our country invites partner countries to participate in hostilities on the front line. I do not think they will agree, but such a question should be raised. And the war is no longer an armed conflict between the two countries, but at least a regional war. " We will remind, the network appeared information about the first destruction by the Ukrainian forces of the Russian self -propelled artillery installation (SAU) 2C43 "Malva".