South Korea’s intelligence service has revealed that North Korea is preparing to send its troops into Ukrainian territory to support Russian military operations, according to Reuters. The deployment may begin as early as July or August 2025, marking a major battlefield development in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 26 June that while Ukrainian troops maintain a limited presence in Kursk Oblast, North Korean involvement has so far remained outside Ukrainian borders. New intelligence indicates that these foreign troops may soon cross into Ukraine itself—constituting a significant battlefield inflection. The shift would allow Russia to strengthen its ability to conduct simultaneous offensive operations.

South Korean lawmaker: Deployment expected by August

Reuters, citing South Korean member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun, reported that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes Pyongyang is preparing an additional deployment of forces into Russia and eventually Ukraine. Lee said,

“The timing of the additional deployment is that it could be as early as July or August,” following a new troop round-up by North Korea and a recent high-level Russian visit to Pyongyang.

The same NIS briefing revealed that North Korea continues to send artillery and missiles to Russia. In return, Moscow is believed to be providing technical support to Pyongyang for satellite launches and missile guidance systems.

Deployment seen as part of wider coordinated assault

The ISW assessed that this move may be designed to support Russia’s expanding large-scale offensive operations. According to the think tank, Russian forces are gradually advancing simultaneously in at least three major directions: Borova-Lyman (Kharkiv Oblast), Kostiantynivka, and Novopavlivka (Donetsk Oblast).

While in the past Moscow relied on staggered and more localized attacks, Russia now appears to be capable—or at least attempting—multi-front assaults. Reinforcements from North Korea could boost this effort.

“It is not possible to forecast the likely impact of North Korean support of this type without more information about the size and composition of the North Korean troop contingent that would be going to Ukraine, nor is it clear how rapidly new North Korean troops would become effective in operations alongside Russian troops in Ukraine,” ISW wrote.

Mutual defense pact underpins growing cooperation

Both North Korea and Russia recently confirmed the presence of North Korean troops and their contribution to Russia’s campaign to reclaim territory in Kursk Oblast. Their military cooperation is grounded in a treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2024, which includes mutual defense clauses.