The unit comprises ‌about 90 North Korean personnel and is expected to be based in Russia’s Voronezh region, the official said. HOW MANY NORTH KOREAN TROOPS HAVE BEEN SENT? The Ukrainian official said this month that around 9,500 North Korean troops remained ⁠in Kursk, but were not then directly involved in operations against Ukraine. Russia and North Korea confirmed in April 2025 that North Korean troops had fought Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty during ​Putin’s June 2024 visit to Pyongyang.