乌克兰总统泽连斯基表示，北朝鲜准备向俄罗斯增派3万至5万名士兵参与乌克兰战争[1]。这一增员规模远超早前的部署人数，乌克兰消息称这批军队可能于11月底前抵达[1]。
北朝鲜士兵将被派往俄罗斯的库尔斯克、布良斯克和别尔哥罗德等地区[1]，主要目的是替换俄军在后方职务，使俄罗斯能够释放更多力量投入乌克兰前线[1]。此前，俄罗斯和北朝鲜已于2024年夏季签署防务协议[1]，首批北朝鲜士兵约1.4万至1.5万人已部署，主要集中在库尔斯克地区[1]，随后双方又同意再派6000名工兵和军事建筑工人[1]。
北朝鲜参与乌克兰战争已付出重大代价。根据韩国情报机构估计，北朝鲜已有约6000名士兵伤亡，其中约2000人阵亡[1]。尽管伤亡惨重，北朝鲜仍在这场冲突中积累现代战争经验并测试武器系统[1]。同时，北朝鲜已向俄罗斯供应数百万发炮弹和弹道导弹[1]。
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that North Korea intends to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine [1]. This would represent a substantial increase following an earlier deployment of 14,000 to 15,000 troops [1]. According to Zelensky, North Korean forces will be stationed in Russian regions including Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod [1], where they are expected to assume rear-echelon duties, thereby freeing Russian forces to concentrate on frontline combat in Ukraine [1].
The escalation reflects deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, with the two nations having signed a defense agreement in the summer of 2024 [1]. The initial contingent of North Korean soldiers was primarily deployed to the Kursk region, while a subsequent agreement added 6,000 engineers and military construction personnel [1]. Zelensky's assessment suggests that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be in place by the end of November [1]. Beyond personnel, North Korea has already supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles [1].
The deployment comes at a considerable cost to North Korea itself. According to South Korean intelligence estimates, approximately 6,000 North Korean soldiers have already sustained casualties in the conflict, including around 2,000 killed in action [1]. Despite these losses, the troop commitment appears designed to give North Korea practical experience in modern warfare while allowing it to test its weapon systems [1].