North Korea's deployment of troops makes it a direct participant in Russia's war against Ukraine

An ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine that was sparked with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022, resulting in widespread casualties, displacement and significant geopolitical consequences for Europe and the world.

Ukraine transferred two North Korean soldiers captured in Russia's Kursk region to South Korea. The soldiers had reportedly expressed an intention to defect, while human-rights organisations warned that returning them to North Korea would expose them to punishment. Seoul criticised the public disclosure because of the security and diplomatic risks. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung effectively confirmed the transfer by criticising Ukraine for making it public, although South Korean ministries withheld operational details.