North Korea has dramatically increased its military support for Russia's war in Ukraine, sending thousands of troops and hundreds of ballistic missiles in a deepening alliance that defies global sanctions, according to a new report from 11 countries.

The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, comprising nations including the U.S., Japan, and the UK, confirmed that North Korea delivered at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia in 2024. These were used in strikes on cities like Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, targeting civilian infrastructure and sowing terror.

The same report reveals that more than 11,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia’s Kursk Oblast late last year. Wearing Russian uniforms and trained by Russian forces, they joined combat operations on the front lines. Ukrainian forces have captured at least two North Korean troops alive.

Since the war began, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin have exchanged state visits and sealed a mutual defense treaty. In April, Pyongyang openly admitted deploying forces to help Moscow repel Ukrainian advances. In return, Russia has provided North Korea with military hardware, including advanced electronic warfare systems delivered by cargo aircraft.

President Donald Trump has expressed mounting frustration over the Kremlin's conduct, particularly after Russia launched its largest drone barrage to date. He warned Putin is “playing with fire” and signaled potential new sanctions. Meanwhile, Ukraine has renewed calls for Western funding, with Germany pledging €5 billion to support long-range strike capabilities.