Satellite images have exposed what analysts believe to be the covert transfer of North Korean troops to Russia, likely to fight in Ukraine.
The images, analyzed by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, indicate that at least two Russian naval ships transported soldiers from North Korea to the secluded Russian port of Dunai in October and November 2024. This revelation adds to growing concerns over Pyongyang’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
According to the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korean soldiers were transported via the port areas of Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan. However, the NIS previously provided only a grainy radar image as evidence. New satellite images now confirm increased activity at Dunai, a remote and secure military facility in Russia’s Far East, where these transfers allegedly took place under the cover of darkness.
Researchers identified Russian landing ships, including the Nikolay Vilkov, docking at Dunai during the suspected transfer periods. A crane was observed extending toward the vessel on October 17, with a covered cargo truck nearby. By October 20, the crane had been retracted, indicating that a transfer had likely been completed. Analysts believe each landing ship has the capacity to transport several hundred soldiers at a time.
“This is an isolated location where such exchanges can happen without public scrutiny,” said Sam Lair, a research associate at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies. “It seems clear that Russia and North Korea want to keep these movements hidden from both intelligence agencies and their own citizens.”
Western intelligence estimates that around 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia since late 2024, with at least 4,000 reported killed or injured. Ukrainian forces have also captured at least two North Korean soldiers. However, Moscow and Pyongyang have not officially confirmed the presence of North Korean fighters in the conflict.
Dunai port has previously been linked to secretive Russia-North Korea military cooperation. Reports from the UK-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) suggest that Russia has been receiving North Korean munitions at scale since 2023, further strengthening military ties between the two nations.
In addition to supplying arms, analysts believe North Korea is gaining valuable combat experience from its involvement in Ukraine. According to Alyona Getmanchuk, director of the New Europe Center think tank, Pyongyang has been using battlefield data to refine its missile accuracy and improve its ground forces’ combat tactics.
While recent reports suggest that Russia may no longer be using sea routes for troop transfers, South Korean intelligence has noted increased military flights between Vladivostok and Pyongyang. As North Korea and Russia deepen their alliance, concerns grow over the long-term implications of this military cooperation on global security.
