North Korea deploys troops and missiles to Russia's war in Ukraine

North Korea has deployed troops, weapons, and a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a conflict since the 1950s. A Ukrainian intelligence official said roughly 90 North Korean personnel with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers are deploying to Russia's Voronezh region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia sought 30,000 additional North Korean troops. Russia and North Korea confirmed in April 2025 that North Korean troops fought in Kursk. North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells and missiles, violating U.N. sanctions condemned by the United States and allies.