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North Korea Releases Propaganda Video of Troops Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Just days before Kim Jong Un is scheduled to join Russian President Vladimir Putin at China’s military parade, North Korea has released a 20-minute propaganda video glorifying its troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
The film, broadcast on state-run KCTV, features dramatic footage of North Korean soldiers in snowy combat zones, handling weapons, meeting with Russian counterparts, and setting explosives. It includes aerial shots purporting to show destruction caused by North Korean forces, with scenes of explosions and targeted strikes.
Throughout the video, soldiers are depicted in moments of patriotic devotion—some gazing at portraits of Kim Jong Un while others press their cheeks against the North Korean flag in displays of allegiance to their leader and country.
“They’re presenting their participation in the Ukrainian war as a major exploit, as another confirmation of North Korea’s military might and their loyalty to the party, state and the leader himself,” said Andrei Lankov, a professor of Korean Studies at Kookmin University in Seoul.
The propaganda piece presents a sanitized view of battlefield conditions that contrast sharply with reports from Western officials, who have estimated that approximately one-third of the 12,000 North Korean troops initially deployed to Ukraine have been killed or wounded. The Russian front has become notorious for human wave attacks and devastating casualty rates.
North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, initially kept secret, has since been acknowledged by both Pyongyang and Moscow. In recent weeks, Kim has publicly recognized the loss of troops, holding two events in August to meet with families of fallen soldiers.
“Now, they’ve had a real war where, generally speaking, North Korean soldiers were fighting quite well,” Lankov noted. “It’s understandable that it’s likely to become a major topic of their domestic propaganda, domestic ideological education and indoctrination.”
The propaganda video begins with a statement that North Korean troops participated in operations to “liberate” Russia’s Kursk region in October 2024 following Ukraine’s surprise offensive. It names certain fallen soldiers and describes their deaths, echoing Kim’s recent promise of “a beautiful life” for families of “martyrs” who died fighting for Russia.
The timing of the video’s release appears strategic, coming just before Kim’s trip to Beijing on Wednesday for a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event will feature a striking display of unity between Kim, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“North Korea could have released the video ahead of the Beijing visit to portray Kim as an important leader with a strategic position in Northeast Asia that is on par with Putin and Xi Jinping at the Victory Day parade,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.
This Beijing trip marks Kim’s first visit to China since 2019. The North Korean leader has made only ten foreign trips since taking power in 2011, with his most recent journey abroad being a 2023 meeting with Putin at a remote Russian spaceport.
On Sunday, Kim also inspected missiles at a “newly inaugurated” production facility, according to state news agency KCNA. Images showed Kim examining dozens of weapons in various stages of production while speaking with uniformed officers. KCNA reported that North Korea had “successfully fulfilled” its five-year plan to expand missile production capacity, with “various kinds of missiles” now in serial production.
The growing military alliance between North Korea and Russia has raised concerns among international observers, with experts warning that Moscow may be providing military and technological assistance to Pyongyang in exchange for its troops. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to modernize its armed forces, develop new weapons, and test intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching almost anywhere in the United States.
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10 Comments
The propaganda video seems to be more about domestic propaganda than any real military achievements. North Korea is likely trying to rally its citizens behind the regime by portraying its troops as heroic defenders of the motherland.
That’s a good observation. This is probably more about shoring up support at home than any actual strategic value. North Korea has a long history of using media and imagery to project an image of strength and unity.
It’s troubling to see North Korea aligning itself so closely with Russia, especially given the latter’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This raises concerns about the potential for further regional instability and conflict.
Absolutely. North Korea’s involvement, even in a limited capacity, could have serious geopolitical ramifications. It’s crucial that the international community remains vigilant and takes appropriate action to address this concerning development.
Interesting to see North Korea trying to spin its involvement in the Ukraine conflict as a display of military might. But the propaganda video is likely just an attempt to bolster the regime’s nationalist credentials at home.
You’re right, this seems like a classic case of North Korea trying to portray itself as a powerful player on the global stage. But the reality is likely much more nuanced.
It’s concerning to see North Korean troops being deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. This escalates regional tensions and raises the risk of further conflict. I hope the international community closely monitors this situation.
Agreed, the involvement of North Korean troops is a worrying development. The potential for this conflict to spread is quite alarming, and it’s crucial that the global community responds appropriately.
I’m curious to see how this propaganda video will be received, both within North Korea and internationally. It’s clear the regime is eager to align itself with Russia, but I wonder if this will backfire and further isolate them.
That’s a good point. North Korea’s close ties with Russia could end up hurting them on the world stage, especially as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine faces growing condemnation.