The North Korean army contingent continues to participate in Russia’s criminal war against Ukraine. As of January 2026, the North Korean troops are stationed in Kursk Oblast, from where they carry out strikes on Ukrainian border communities, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reports.
21st-century war instructors in Asia
North Korean soldiers participating in the war return home as instructors, spreading skills in modern warfare, artillery, MRLs, and drone operations. This experience heightens the threat to regional stability in East Asia, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reveals.
The focus on mastering drone technology and gaining modern combat experience is one of the key objectives of North Korea’s involvement in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Their training includes UAV deployment, artillery correction, and MRL operations, which can accelerate Pyongyang’s military technology development for future use against neighboring countries.
Rotation and accumulation of combat experience
Under agreements between Moscow and Pyongyang, North Korean soldiers stationed in Kursk Oblast are regularly rotated. Since their deployment in the war against Ukraine, around 3,000 soldiers have returned to Pyongyang, trained and battle-hardened.
