North Korea has supported Russia in its war in Ukraine since 2017, when it recognized Crimea as part of Russia. It has since taken Russia’s side diplomatically and has reportedly been supplying it with weapons and munitions for years.

In 2024, it sent troops to fight for the Russian Army in Russian Uniforms. The reasons, apart from receiving compensation from Russia, are not clear.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has suggested that Pyongyang sees it as an opportunity to give its troops combat experience in modern warfare.