North Korea and Russia Forge Tactical Alliance: Troops, Missiles, Misses

North Korea has significantly intensified its military cooperation with Russia—deploying troops, exporting weapons, and formalizing a strategic defense pact this year. From battlefield deployments to major arms transfers, the alliance is entering a new, unprecedented phase. What’s in the Treaty? In June 2024, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin signed a “Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” Ratified by December, it commits both nations to immediate military support if either is attacked—marking a formal military alliance. Troops on Russian Soil—and Possibly Ukraine North Korea has reportedly sent around 12,000 troops—including special forces—to Russia, deployed mainly in the Kursk region. Casualty estimates range from 600 to 1,000 killed and over 4,000 wounded. In April 2025, the North officially acknowledged the deployment, citing the treaty’s defense obligations.