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North Korea has paraded soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine through Pyongyang, drawing sharp condemnation from Ukrainian officials who described the event as propaganda that masks the true cost of Pyongyang’s military support for Moscow.
The military parade, held on February 25, featured North Korean special operations forces and engineering units that reportedly participated in combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region. The troops marched through the North Korean capital carrying the Russian flag during a ceremony marking the conclusion of the 9th Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi delivered a scathing response on social media platform X, stating: “They may appear proud, yet there is nothing to be proud of.” He claimed the parade concealed significant North Korean casualties, saying, “What is missing from this propaganda charade are at least 6,000 North Korean soldiers who did not march in Pyongyang that day. They croaked in an illegal war of aggression 8,000 kilometers away, which they had nothing to do with.”
Tykhyi emphasized that the military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow represents a dangerous partnership with global implications, particularly for the Indo-Pacific region. “It is critical for the entire world to realize that Kim does not supply this cannon fodder for free; in exchange, he receives concrete and dangerous support from Putin,” he wrote.
The deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine marks a significant escalation in Pyongyang’s support for Russia’s war effort. According to South Korean intelligence cited by lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded while fighting for Russia.
In a revealing development last summer, North Korean state media released images showing leader Kim Jong Un presiding over a solemn ceremony for the flag-draped coffins of soldiers killed in Ukraine. The footage captured Kim personally placing the national flag over a coffin during a ceremony marking the return of soldiers’ remains. Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova attended the event, which coincided with the first anniversary of a military pact between the two nations that includes a mutual defense clause.
State media also displayed what was described as a handwritten document from Kim approving “operational plans for the liberation of Kursk” and ordering special operations units to attack in late 2024, confirming high-level North Korean involvement in planning military operations on Ukrainian territory.
Pyongyang officially acknowledged in April 2025 that it had deployed troops to assist Russia, confirming that North Korean soldiers had been killed in combat. This admission formalized what had been suspected for months by Western intelligence agencies and Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned about the broader security implications of this military cooperation. In an interview with Kyodo News, he described the development as “extremely dangerous,” noting that Pyongyang is gaining valuable battlefield experience through its involvement in the conflict.
“They are learning to counter missiles and different types of drones, including fiber-optic drones – from [first-person view] FPV to long-range drones. They are training now in Russia because we are responding to Russian attacks. So, they have this opportunity,” Zelensky explained.
He estimated that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia and warned that these troops could “bring this knowledge home,” potentially enhancing North Korea’s military capabilities and contributing to regional instability in East Asia.
The visible celebration of North Korean combatants in Pyongyang represents a troubling evolution in the internationalization of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with potential ramifications extending far beyond Eastern Europe to impact security dynamics across multiple regions.
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11 Comments
The fact that North Korea is willing to send its troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine is a troubling development that deserves close scrutiny from the international community.
This is a concerning display of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The true cost of this alliance, in terms of North Korean lives lost, is being obscured by Pyongyang’s propaganda efforts.
While the specifics of North Korea’s military involvement in Ukraine may be opaque, one thing is clear: this parade is more about projection of power than genuine recognition of sacrifice.
It’s important to remember that this is not just a show of military might, but a reflection of the geopolitical tensions and power struggles happening in the region. The implications of this alliance deserve close scrutiny.
This parade is a stark reminder of the complex web of alliances and power dynamics that are shaping the geopolitical landscape. Understanding the motivations and consequences of these relationships is crucial.
Ukraine is right to condemn this event as a cover-up. Celebrating the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war of aggression is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about the human toll.
While North Korea may seek to project an image of strength and solidarity with Russia, the reality is likely far more grim. The loss of thousands of North Korean lives in a conflict they had no stake in is a tragic outcome.
Agreed. Parading these ‘veterans’ is a cynical attempt to obscure the true human cost of Pyongyang’s support for Moscow’s invasion.
While the details of North Korea’s military involvement in Ukraine remain murky, one thing is clear: this parade is more about propaganda than honoring the sacrifices of their soldiers.
Absolutely. Ukraine is right to condemn this display as a distortion of the truth and an attempt to conceal the human toll of this unjust war.
This event highlights the growing complexity of the global geopolitical landscape. The interplay between authoritarian regimes like North Korea and Russia bears close watching, as it can have far-reaching consequences.