How many amounts of money Russia give as compensation to North Korean soldiers in Ukraine war

 Reports from various intelligence agencies and media outlets indicate that North Korea has sent troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine, particularly in the Kursk region. While there's a degree of opacity surrounding the exact numbers and compensation arrangements, a picture can be pieced together from available information.

First, regarding the deployment and casualties, estimates vary but point to a significant North Korean presence and substantial losses. South Korean intelligence initially reported around 3,000 North Korean troops sent to Russia, with projections of up to 10,000 by December 2024. More recent reports, including those from the UK Ministry of Defence and Ukrainian officials, suggest that North Korea deployed around 11,000-14,000 troops, primarily in the Kursk region. These forces have reportedly suffered heavy casualties. The UK Ministry of Defence, for instance, assessed that North Korean forces sustained more than 6,000 casualties (killed or injured) in offensive combat operations, representing over half of their initial deployment. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov also cited around 4,000 casualties among North Korean troops. These high casualty rates are attributed to factors such as a lack of front-line combat experience and the use of "highly attritional dismounted assaults." North Korea has made a rare admission of sending troops to Russia and even acknowledged soldiers killed in combat, with state media showing Kim Jong Un mourning fallen soldiers.

Concerning compensation for these troops, and specifically for those who lost their lives, direct public information from Russia or North Korea on specific monetary compensation for deceased soldiers is virtually non-existent. However, insights from intelligence agencies and analysts suggest that the primary form of "compensation" for North Korea as a state is broader military and economic assistance from Russia. South Korea's intelligence agency reported that Russia pays North Korean soldiers about $2,000 a month. It's crucial to note, however, that North Korea typically retains a significant portion, if not most, of the salaries earned by its citizens dispatched overseas, meaning individual soldiers likely receive a much smaller amount. Therefore, while a nominal monthly payment exists, it is largely controlled by the North Korean regime.

The more substantial "compensation" appears to be at the state-to-state level. In exchange for providing troops and, more significantly, vast quantities of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia, Pyongyang seems to have received substantial benefits. These benefits include Russian technical assistance on spy satellites, drones, anti-air missiles, and potentially other advanced military technologies. Some reports suggest that North Korea could be receiving hundreds of thousands of tons of rice or substantial financial aid in exchange for its military support, with figures like $200 million a year being floated. This quid pro quo arrangement allows North Korea to alleviate its economic problems, including food crises, and to advance its military capabilities, particularly in missile guidance systems and drone technology, by gaining valuable real-world combat experience and Russian expertise.

In conclusion, while individual North Korean soldiers deployed to Ukraine likely receive a modest monthly payment, the more significant "compensation" for the loss of North Korean lives and the deployment of its forces is not directly financial payments to families of the fallen by Russia. Instead, it manifests as crucial military and economic aid from Russia to the North Korean regime, strengthening Pyongyang's strategic position, its military development, and its ability to mitigate the effects of international sanctions. The human cost, particularly the high casualty rates among North Korean troops, appears to be a direct consequence of their deployment in intense combat zones, with the regime seemingly viewing these losses as a necessary trade-off for the strategic advantages gained from its deepened alliance with Russia.