Executive Summary
This report assesses the impact of North Korean military aid and personnel deployments on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While military contributions from the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) have not altered the course of the war, they have provided tangible support to Russian forces. The deployment of infantry units, primarily used as expendable assault forces in the Kursk region, has allowed Russia to remain focused on the front lines in Eastern Ukraine. Additionally, the supply of ballistic missiles, despite their limited accuracy and reliability, has bolstered Russia’s missile arsenal and likely played a role in saturating Ukrainian air defenses. Ultimately, the provision of eight million rounds of artillery, although of doubtful quality, has helped keep the Russian war machine on the offensive throughout 2024.