North Korea has sent approximately 28,000 containers of weapons to Russia, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. Intelligence officials estimate the shipments contain over 12 million artillery shells. Since October 2024, Pyongyang has also deployed around 13,000 troops to assist Russian forces, with some reportedly involved in pushing Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region.

The Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) estimates that North Korea has already earned more than $20 billion from its involvement in the war—primarily through arms deliveries, military technology transfers, and the deployment of personnel.