Russia is allegedly sending wounded soldiers to North Korea, claiming they are receiving medical treatment, but in reality, they may be sharing military expertise with North Korean forces, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on February 11.
The report points to statements from Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, who confirmed that "hundreds" of injured Russian soldiers had been sent to North Korea for rehabilitation.
He also claimed that Pyongyang refused Russia’s offer of financial compensation for their care.
ISW analysts cast doubt on Moscow’s claim that these soldiers are abroad solely for treatment, given Russia’s history of sending wounded troops back into combat without proper care.
If these soldiers include officers or experienced non-commissioned officers, their presence in North Korea could be a way for Russia to share battlefield tactics from the war in Ukraine.
Western officials and Ukrainian intelligence have already reported that since late 2024, around 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces in the Kursk region. The latest revelations suggest that Russia and North Korea’s military cooperation is deepening, raising concerns about the extent of their alliance.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has already pledged unwavering support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and recently threatened to expand his nuclear arsenal in response to increased military cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
