The DPRK appeared to have begun providing military support to Russia by railway in November 2022. The DPRK Panel of Experts (the Panel) of the Security Council mentioned Pyongyang’s initial assistance to Moscow in the Ukraine war in its report, using satellite imagery analysis (see the Panel’s report, para. 123, annex 68).

Since then, the DPRK has accelerated its involvement in the war, supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), which was established to succeed the disbanded Panel following its sudden dissolution in April 2024, showed that the DPRK has transferred over 20,000 containers of munitions to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since September 2023. Approximately 9 million rounds of ammunition were reportedly transferred from the DPRK to Russia in 40 shipments between January and December 2024.

The DPRK Monitor has observed evidence of debris from North Korea’s weapons systems on the ground.

DPRK Forces Deployed to Russia

In October 2024, ROK’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that between early and mid‑September 2024, North Korean troops were sent by Russian naval vessels from North Korean ports to Russia’s Far East. These troops underwent training at military garrisons in Siberian regions (Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Blagoveshchensk). On October 23, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stated at a press briefing that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been moved to eastern Russia between early and mid‑October and were receiving training at Russian bases. He noted that they could potentially be deployed to the front in Ukraine.

Engagements Between DPRK Soldiers and Ukrainian Forces

In early November 2024, following comments on social media by Ukrainian army–affiliated source (Kovalenko) concerning engagements between DPRK soldiers and Ukrainian forces, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Umerov and President Zelenskyy confirmed that there have been casualties among North Korean troops (DPRK Monitor notes that Kovalenko had already mentioned in early October 2024 in his SNS that North Korean soldiers had died). It is estimated that the DPRK deployed over 11,000 troops in late 2024, and the DPRK publicly acknowledged this deployment in late April 2025.

In early January 2025, Ukraine’s military intelligence announced the capture of North Korean soldiers as prisoners of war. Among the dead, Ukrainian forces recovered personal documents, diaries, weapons, and communication devices—apparently intended to conceal their North Korean identity and disguise as Russians. They also found documents believed to carry messages from Kim Jong Un, along with notes on countering drone attacks.

The DPRK’s military support to Russia includes the following:

  • Munitions (82mm, 122mm, 130mm, 152mm, 170mm);

    • D-20 towed howitzer

    • D-30 towed howitzer

    • M-30 howitzer

    • M-46 howitzer

    • D-74 cannon

  • At least 100 Ballistic missiles

    • Including Hwasong-11 series (KN-23, 24)

  • Three brigade sets of Heavy artillery

    • 170mm self-propelled artillery pieces

    • 240mm long-range multiple rocket launchers

    • 200 total vehicles, self-propelled guns, multiple-rocket launcher, etc.

  • Anti-tank missiles

    • Bulsae-4 (불새-4)

    • RPG

  • Troops (over 11,000 in late 2024)

What does the DPRK receive from Russia in return?

  •  The MSMT report listed the following:

    • Air defense system & Anti-aircraft missiles (Pantsir class combat vehicle)

    • Advanced electronic warfare systems (jamming equipment using Russian cargo aircraft)

    • Data feedback on ballistic missiles which lead to improvements in missile guidance performance

    • Refined oil

 The DPRK Monitor continues to keep an eye on the situation and will provide updates.

KN-23 (Source: CSIS)

KN-23 (Source: CSIS)

Bulsae-4 (Source: Militarnyi)

Bulsae-4 (Source: Militarnyi)

122mm rocket launcher and anti tank missile (9M113) (Source: The MSMT)

122mm rocket launcher and anti tank missile (9M113) (Source: The MSMT)

170mm self-propelled gun (Source: The MSMT)

170mm self-propelled gun (Source: The MSMT)

Means of arms transfer from DPRK to Russia

2022-11-18 (Railcars)

Khasan (Russia)-Tumangang (DPRK)

Source: Yonhap News.

According to imagery released by National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby at a White House press briefing in Washington on 20 January 2023, five Russian railcars traveled from Russia to North Korea on 18 November 2022. The next day, 19 November, North Korea loaded the railcars with shipping containers, and the train returned to Russia.

From 2023-9-7 to 10-1 (Vessels)

Najin (Rajin) (DPRK)-Dunay (Konyushkov Bay) (Russia)

Source: The Panel’s report, S/2024/215, page. 34.

According to imagery relased by the US Mission to the UN on 13 October 2023, the DPRK has provided Russia with more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions between 7 September and 1 October 2023 (Since the Panel report includes a clearer map from a certain Member State, DPRK Monitor will cite it from there).

From January to December 2024 (Vessels)

Najin (Rajin)-Vostochnyy (Russia)

Source: The MSMT.

According to the MSMT report, Russian cargo vessels delivered approximately 9 million rounds of mixed artillery and multiple rocket launcher ammunition from Najin (Rajin) port in the DPRK to Vostochnyy, Russia, in 49 shipments between January 1 and mid-December 2024.

The munitions were then transported by rail to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia.

From 2024-10-8 to 10-13 (Vessels)

Hamhung, Chongjin (DPRK)-Vladivostok (Russia)

Source: NIS (Annotated by the DPRK Monitor).

According to the ROK’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korea transported special forces units to Russian territory via Russian Navy transport ships from October 8 to 13. This confirmed the beginning of North Korean military participation.

Four landing ships and three escort ships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet completed the first phase of transporting approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces personnel from areas near Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan in North Korea (Attachment 1) to Vladivostok, Russia, during the same period.

From November-December 2023 (Cargo planes)

Source: The DPRK Monitor.

The MSMT report indicates that sensitive and critical equipment, including missiles and transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), were primarily moved via rail or Russian military cargo planes.

The report identified the involvement of Russian Federation aircraft, specifically the Ilyushin Il-76, Il-76 MD, and Antonov AN-124, in transporting DPRK ballistic missiles and related cargo during November and December 2023.

Information indicated that missile exports by some of these aircraft continued in 2024.

DPRK soldiers' carried items

Below is a social media post from the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Сили спеціальних операцій ЗС України).

In the notebook of a DPRK special forces soldier eliminated in the Kursk region, he described how to bait and shoot down a Ukrainian drone.

In his notebook, Private Gyong Hong Jong detailed tactics for downing UAVs and hiding from Ukrainian artillery.

Source: Telegram.

“How to neutralize a drone”

When a drone is spotted, a team of three (3 people) should be formed. The one luring the drone should maintain a distance of 7 meters, while the shooters should stay 10–12 meters away.

If the bait person remains standing, the drone will also stop. At this moment, the shooters should eliminate the drone.

“How to avoid artillery fire”

In the event of entering an artillery strike zone, designate a next rally point for the group, then split into smaller groups and exit the area.

Another method: since artillery doesn’t strike the exact same spot twice, it’s possible to hide at a previous impact point and then leave the strike zone.

Kim Jong Un’s letter (Translated and edited by DPRK Monitor)

Source: Telegram.

To our heroic (?) military officers, commanders, and soldiers fulfilling their military missions in overseas operational areas!
To the interpreters and other support personnel!

As we welcome the New Year 2025, I send my greetings and congratulations to you.
You have experienced both the heartbreaking sacrifices and the exhilarating triumphs of costly battles.
You have shared bonds with many noble combat comrades and felt the solemn emotion of devotion to the homeland.
Welcoming the New Year in a faraway land, I am sure you miss your beloved parents, wives, and brothers more than ever before.

As you continue to carry out the homeland’s orders through the fading days of the outgoing year and into the hardships of the incoming one, I find it hard to choose words that would truly express the encouragement and gratitude owed for your devotion and sacrifice.

On behalf of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and with the support of our beloved people and all service members across the entire army, I send my heartfelt thanks to all of you — the heroes of our nation and the bearers of our homeland’s honor.

Comrades! I miss you all dearly.
Please never forget, even for a moment, that I am constantly praying and wishing for your health and safe return.
Until the day you successfully complete your assigned military mission, I ask that you all stay healthy, fight on with ever greater courage, and persevere.

Kim Jong Un
December 31, 2024

Korean-Russian Military Terminology Translation Notes (Translated by DPRK Monitor)

Source: Telegram.

1.섯 (Стой) – Halt/Freeze

2.손 들엇 (Руки вверх) – Hands up

3.무기를 버리라 (Брось оружие) – Drop your weapon

4.뒤로 돌앗 (Кругом) – Turn around

5.앞으롯 (Вперёд) – Move forward

6.엎드렷 (Ложись) – Lie down

7.옷을 벗으라 (Разденься) – Take off your clothes

8.손을 뒤로 가져가라 (Руки назад) – Put your hands behind your back

9.천천히 (Медленно) – Slowly

10.오라 (Ко мне) – Come here

11.투항하라 (Здавайтесь) – Surrender

12.너희들은 포위되였다 (Вы окружены) – You are surrounded

13.투항하면 살려준다 (Если здаетесь, гарантирую вашу жизь) – Surrender and you will be spared

14.저항은 무의미하다 (Сопротивление не имеет значения) – Resistance is futile

15.지휘관이 누구인가 (Кто командир?) – Who is the commander?

16.무인기수는 누구인가 (Кто оператор БПЛА?) – Who is the drone operator?

17.손을 들고 진지밖으로 나오라 (Руки вверх, выходи из окопа) – Come out of the position with your hands up

18.고향은 살아있는 너희들을 기다린다 (Семья ждёт вас) – Your homeland is waiting for you alive

19.혁띠를 풀라 (Расстегни ремень) – Undo your belt

20.신발을 벗으라 (Сними обувь) – Take off your shoes

21.지뢰원이 어디에 있는가 (Где мины?) – Where are the mines?

22.우리를 안내하라 (Проводи нас) – Guide us

23.무인기들을 어디서 띄우는가 (Где спускают квадрокоптер?) – Where are the drones launched from?