North Korea (officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) is reportedly preparing to deploy a significant amount of military assets and personnel to Russia in 2025, further complicating the already intricate geopolitical topography that surrounds the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Military Deployment to Russia Scheduled
Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, has stated that North Korea intends to relocate its main combat tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Russian territory, along with their crews. The planned deployment consists of 50 to 100 units of North Korean military vehicles, with a particular emphasis on the main battle tanks M2010 (also referred to as Cheonma-D) and BTR-80 APCs with 8×8 wheeled configurations. The intention is for these armored units to actively participate in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
Pyongyang intends to deploy military engineering units, which will consist of approximately 6,000 personnel, in addition to armored vehicles. Initially, it was reported that these troops were mainly deployed for demining activities and reconstruction works in the Kursk region of Russia, an area that has recently been the site of intense fighting. Nevertheless, Budanov expressed skepticism that demining and construction would be their exclusive responsibilities, suggesting that a more extensive military role may be intended.
Unique Combat Experience and Tactical Implications
Budanov emphasized that North Korea is one of only three countries that has firsthand experience conducting modern warfare on a wide front with full use of available military resources. The remaining two are Russia and Ukraine. Moscow considers North Korean forces and materiel to be valuable allies in its war efforts due to their battle-hardened experience.
Based on the Soviet-era BTR-80A, the Cheonma-D (M2010) is a locally modified variant of the North Korean main battle tank that has been upgraded with an 8×8 wheel propulsion system. A more recent version, Cheonma-2 (천마-2호), was unveiled last year. It was formerly known as M2020 in the West and its upgraded iteration as M2024. The unveiling coincided with demonstrations at military parades and training exercises.
Financial and Geopolitical Aspects
Budanov disclosed that Russia is providing substantial financial support for North Korea’s military materiel and deployment, with tens of billions of dollars being exchanged. These funds are essential for North Korea, which is one of the most isolated economies in the world and is subject to stringent international sanctions.
This military partnership extends beyond the Ukrainian battlefield. It encompasses a more extensive geopolitical dimension, as Russia and North Korea capitalize on each other’s strategic positions and military technologies. North Korea provides Russia with artillery projectiles, ballistic rockets, and other munitions, while Russia provides North Korea with technical expertise in satellite launches and missile guidance systems. This reciprocal arrangement is noteworthy.
Expanded Military Collaboration and Support
The collaboration reportedly encompasses the deployment of thousands of additional North Korean personnel to drone production facilities in Russia, in addition to ground forces. These arrangements reinforce the strategic alliance between the two nations and provide support to Russia’s war apparatus.
According to reports, North Korea provided Russia with up to nine million artillery and rocket projectiles in 2024, along with over 200 pieces of military hardware such as self-propelled cannons and anti-tank missiles. This includes long-range self-propelled artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
Political Engagement
The relationship between North Korea and Russia is characterized by significant political engagement and high-level mutual visits, which underscore a deepening strategic alliance, in addition to the extensive military cooperation. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un undertook an official state visit to Russia in 2025, which was hosted by President Vladimir Putin. This visit amplified the importance of the partnership between the two nations. In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties and cooperating across all sectors during their frequent communications and visits, including a phone call shortly before Putin’s summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin publicly commended the valor and sacrifice of North Korean troops who were fighting alongside Russian forces, while Kim pledged his unwavering support for Russia’s future actions.
In addition to these leader-level exchanges, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited North Korea earlier this year to engage in discussions regarding the alliance and military collaboration with Kim Jong Un and other high-ranking officials. Lavrov’s visit was the most recent in a string of significant diplomatic travels that indicate Russia’s dependence on North Korean support in both military and political capacities. A mutual defense clause is included in the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, which serves as a formalization of their expanding collaboration. The visits are frequently accompanied by the exchange of military technology, training, and economic support, which further solidifies their close relationship in what many analysts perceive as a counterbalance to Western influence.
In conclusion,
The planned military reinforcement and material support to Russia by North Korea are indicative of a substantial increase in international involvement in the conflict encircling Ukraine. The deployment of sophisticated armored vehicles and battle-experienced North Korean troops, in conjunction with substantial financial transactions and technological exchanges, demonstrates a multifaceted alliance with significant implications for global geopolitics and regional security. This partnership complicates the conflict dynamics and suggests an expanding network of military cooperation that extends beyond traditional state actors.
This development is closely monitored by global intelligence agencies and serves as a clear indication of how localized conflicts can draw the involvement of strategically allied nations that are geographically distant.