Ukraine Destroys North Korean Weapons Amid Intensifying Russia Conflict

SEOUL — South Korea’s military has reported that North Korea deployed an additional 3,000 troops to Russia in early 2024, while continuing to supply weapons and ammunition to aid Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, its alliance with North Korea has strengthened. Seoul has accused Pyongyang of providing military support, including sending soldiers and arms, to assist Moscow. Although neither Russia nor North Korea has officially confirmed the troop deployment, both countries signed a comprehensive military agreement last year, including a mutual defense clause, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea.

North Korean Troops and Weapon Supplies to Russia

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), approximately 3,000 additional North Korean troops were dispatched between January and February 2024. This follows an earlier deployment of 11,000 soldiers, with reports indicating that around 4,000 of them have been killed or injured in combat.

Beyond personnel, North Korea has also delivered substantial military supplies to Russia. The JCS report states that Pyongyang has provided short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), along with about 220 units of 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers. Military analysts warn that these numbers could increase as the battlefield situation evolves.

Ukraine Destroys North Korean Artillery in Combat

Ukraine has reportedly eliminated its fifth North Korean-supplied artillery system within a month, according to a statement by Kyiv’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) on X, formerly known as Twitter. The self-propelled artillery piece, one of many provided to Russia by Pyongyang, was being used in Donetsk, a region experiencing prolonged and intense battles.

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Ministry of Defense and the North Korean Embassy in the U.K. for comments regarding the situation.

North Korea Expands Drone Warfare Capabilities

North Korean state media recently reported that leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of new military drones integrated with artificial intelligence technology. The country demonstrated both reconnaissance and suicide drones, highlighting their strategic importance on the battlefield.

The reconnaissance drones are designed to monitor enemy troop movements on land and sea, while the suicide drones showcased their ability to execute precise strike missions. Kim expressed satisfaction with the drones' enhanced performance and authorized plans to expand production capacity.

North Korea first unveiled its attack drones in August 2023. Experts believe that its growing relationship with Russia has contributed to advancements in drone warfare, with North Korean troops potentially gaining firsthand experience in modern combat tactics, particularly in drone deployment.

Strategic Goals Behind North Korea’s Military Support

According to Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, Pyongyang’s focus on unmanned military technology aligns with its broader five-year defense development plan. The acceleration of drone production is reportedly driven by perceived security threats, including allegations—denied by Seoul—that South Korea has deployed drones over Pyongyang.

Military analysts suggest that North Korea’s collaboration with Russia may also be aimed at acquiring advanced military technology. Given Russia’s established expertise, Pyongyang could be seeking to enhance its own defense capabilities through this partnership.

Rising Global Concerns Over North Korea-Russia Ties

The escalating military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is raising alarm among global security analysts. In late 2023, Kim Jong Un directed the mass production of attack drones capable of carrying explosives and being used as guided missiles. Additionally, North Korea has demonstrated its ability to deploy drones across its borders, as seen in 2022 when South Korea’s military struggled to intercept them due to their small size.

As North Korea continues to expand its military influence through drone technology and artillery support, world powers remain watchful of the broader implications. The deepening military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow could significantly impact international stability, with concerns that North Korean military advancements may further fuel conflicts in Ukraine and beyond.