South Korea’s intelligence service has revealed that North Korea is preparing to send its troops into Ukrainian territory to support Russian military operations, according to Reuters. The deployment may begin as early as July or August 2025, marking a major battlefield development in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 26 June that while Ukrainian troops maintain a limited presence in Kursk Oblast, North Korean involvement has so far remained outside Ukrainian borders. New intelligence indicates that these foreign troops may soon cross into Ukraine itself—constituting a significant battlefield inflection. The shift would allow Russia to strengthen its ability to conduct simultaneous offensive operations.

South Korean lawmaker: Deployment expected by August

Reuters, citing South Korean member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun, reported that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) believes Pyongyang is preparing an additional deployment of forces into Russia and eventually Ukraine. Lee said,

“The timing of the additional deployment is that it could be as early as July or August,” following a new troop round-up by North Korea and a recent high-level Russian visit to Pyongyang.

The same NIS briefing revealed that North Korea continues to send artillery and missiles to Russia. In return, Moscow is believed to be providing technical support to Pyongyang for satellite launches and missile guidance systems.

Deployment seen as part of wider coordinated assault

The ISW assessed that this move may be designed to support Russia’s expanding large-scale offensive operations. According to the think tank, Russian forces are gradually advancing simultaneously in at least three major directions: Borova-Lyman (Kharkiv Oblast), Kostiantynivka, and Novopavlivka (Donetsk Oblast).

While in the past Moscow relied on staggered and more localized attacks, Russia now appears to be capable—or at least attempting—multi-front assaults. Reinforcements from North Korea could boost this effort.

“It is not possible to forecast the likely impact of North Korean support of this type without more information about the size and composition of the North Korean troop contingent that would be going to Ukraine, nor is it clear how rapidly new North Korean troops would become effective in operations alongside Russian troops in Ukraine,” ISW wrote.

Mutual defense pact underpins growing cooperation

Both North Korea and Russia recently confirmed the presence of North Korean troops and their contribution to Russia’s campaign to reclaim territory in Kursk Oblast. Their military cooperation is grounded in a treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2024, which includes mutual defense clauses.

Fresh battlefield movements indicate that both Ukrainian and Russian forces made gains in several contested areas across Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts in recent days, according to a June 25 report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated footage supports a series of advances, with Ukrainian forces regaining ground in eastern Kharkiv and southern Donetsk oblasts, while Russian troops pushed forward in key directions including Vovchansk, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.

Ukrainian progress near Borova and Velyka Novosilka

ISW reports that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Borova direction in eastern Kharkiv Oblast. Geolocated footage published on 25 June confirms that Ukrainian troops regained positions in Zelenyi Hai, located east of Borova. The footage strongly suggests that Ukrainian forces likely liberated the settlement.

Meanwhile, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine also made headway in the Velyka Novosilka direction. Geolocated footage released on 23 June indicates Ukrainian forces advanced southeast of Novopil, southwest of Velyka Novosilka.

Ukrainian counteroffensive near Lyman hits Russian regiment

Ukrainian troops operating in the Lyman direction launched a counterattack on 24 June, reportedly striking elements of the Russian 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment, which is part of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division, 20th Combined Arms Army. The Ukrainian brigade stated that its operation “destroyed” a platoon from the Russian regiment and resulted in progress near Ridkodub, north of Lyman.

However, Russian sources counter these claims. A Russian milblogger alleged that Russian troops advanced east of Zelena Dolyna and north of Novomykhailivka, both located in the same northern part of Donetsk Oblast.

Russian gains around Vovchansk and Pokrovsk

Russian forces continued their push in northern Kharkiv Oblast. According to ISW, geolocated footage published on 23 and 25 June shows Russian troops advancing in northern and northwestern parts of Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City.

In the Donetsk Oblast’s Pokrovsk direction, geolocated video from 24 June depicts Russian troops advancing north of Shevchenko Pershe and into western Lysivka, both situated near Pokrovsk.

Donetsk’s Yalta fell in the Novopavlivka direction

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that units from the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 29th Combined Arms Army under the Eastern Military District, took control of central Yalta, south of Novopavlivka in Donetsk Oblast. Geolocated footage published on 25 June supports this claim, showing Russian servicemembers raising their flag in the settlement center.