North Korea may have generated up to $14.4 billion through military cooperation with Russia related to the Ukraine war, including arms transfers and personnel deployment, according to a report cited by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
The estimate is based on an analysis by the Institute for National Security Strategy, which examined the economic impact of these activities on Pyongyang’s sanctions-constrained economy.
Revenues generated through military ties with Moscow could reduce the effectiveness of restrictions aimed at limiting North Korea’s access to hard currency, according to the report.
Pyongyang has reportedly deployed troops to Russia since October 2024, totalling over 20,000 personnel.
North Koreans serve in support roles, including mine clearance, construction, and engineering.
Some units are posted near the Russia-Ukraine border for security and logistics.
North Korean workers also support Moscow’s defense production, including the assembly of unmanned systems.
Estimated Earnings
From August 2023 to December 2025, income from North Korean troop deployments is estimated at about $620 million.
During the same period, exports of military equipment, including artillery, ammunition, and guided and ballistic missiles, are estimated to have generated between $7.05 billion and $13.78 billion, with an average of around $10.4 billion.
Only a portion of these earnings, estimated at between $580 million and $1.5 billion, or about 4 percent to 19.6 percent, has been confirmed through observable data, including transfers in kind.
The remaining share has not been directly verified and may be paid through forms that are difficult to track.
This can include transfers of military technology, technical know-how, specialized components, or industrial materials that are not easily visible in satellite imagery or open-source data.
