North Korea is reportedly prepared to dispatch as many as 100,000 troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to sources familiar with assessments by some Group of 20 (G20) nations, Bloomberg has reported.

If confirmed, the deployment would mark a significant escalation in military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. In October, reports suggested that North Korea had already sent 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region, where they are allegedly engaged in operations along the Ukrainian border, aiding Russian forces in attempts to reclaim Ukrainian-held territories. These deployments have reportedly been accompanied by millions of artillery rounds and other weapons, bolstering Russia’s military campaigns. Increasing this figure to 100,000 would provide substantial relief to Russia’s manpower constraints and reduce the need for forced mobilisation of its citizens.

The deal offers mutual benefits: Russia gains manpower and ammunition for its prolonged conflict, while North Korea secures financial support and access to advanced military technologies, such as missile systems and reconnaissance satellites. These capabilities could accelerate Pyongyang’s intercontinental ballistic missile development and strengthen its nuclear deterrence. South Korean intelligence agencies report that North Korean soldiers are being paid approximately $2,000 each—equivalent to 83 years’ wages for the average North Korean citizen. These funds are likely being channelled into the regime’s military and domestic programmes.

For Ukraine and its allies, the deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang signal the increasing globalisation of the conflict. Ukrainian officials warn that a rotating presence of large North Korean contingents would allow Moscow to prolong its aggression and ease the strain on Russian manpower. In the West, condemnation of the reported deployment has been swift. The United States and its NATO allies have denounced the alleged troop deployments, while leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit raised concerns over growing security risks in the Indo-Pacific. Washington has highlighted the potential consequences of an expanded Russia-North Korea axis.

In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the alleged deployment of North Korean troops as a “grave escalation.” This was the first direct conversation between the two leaders since December 2022, during which Scholz called for an immediate end to the war and urged negotiations for a "fair and lasting peace." The Kremlin characterised the exchange as an “in-depth and frank exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine.” Scholz plans to raise the issue of North Korean troop involvement with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Brazil, urging Beijing to use its influence to discourage further collaboration.