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North Korean Generals Behind Russia’s War Effort Spotted at Moscow Victory Day Parade

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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North Korean Generals Behind Russia’s War Effort Spotted at Moscow Victory Day Parade
Russian leader Vladimir Putin greets North Korean generals during the Victory Day parade on Red Square in Moscow, May 9, 2025. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

At least five North Korean generals involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine were identified during the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, according to open-source analysis.

The identification was reported by OSINT analyst @koreadefenseblog on the social platform Bluesky. The appearance of these military figures marks the most public confirmation yet of North Korea’s military involvement alongside Russian forces.

Among those identified was Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army (KPA).

Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of North Korea. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of North Korea. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of North Korea. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of North Korea. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

He was seen shaking hands with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and is reported to command the KPA’s 11th Storm Corps, a major special forces formation whose units are reportedly deployed to support Russian operations in Ukraine.

Also present was Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. According to Ukrainian intelligence, troops under his command were previously deployed inside Russia in support of operations against Ukraine.

Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Head of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

A third individual—an unnamed lieutenant general from North Korea’s Ministry of Defense—was also present, although neither his identity nor his department could be confirmed based on available images.

Unidentified North Korean general at the Victory Day parade in Moscow. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Unidentified North Korean general at the Victory Day parade in Moscow. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

Two other officers were linked to the General Staff’s Main Operations Bureau. One was identified as the commander of the KPA’s 525th Special Forces Battalion, an elite unit tasked with covert operations against South Korea. While his name was not confirmed, sources identified his surname as Kim.

Lieutenant General Kim, Commander of North Korea’s 525th Special Forces Battalion. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Lieutenant General Kim, Commander of North Korea’s 525th Special Forces Battalion. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

The final general, Major General Shin Gim Chol, was identified as a senior officer within the Main Operations Bureau. According to the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), he is believed to be directly responsible for organizing and overseeing North Korean deployments in the war against Ukraine.

Major General Shin Gim Chol, Chief of the Main Operations Bureau of North Korea’s General Staff. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)
Major General Shin Gim Chol, Chief of the Main Operations Bureau of North Korea’s General Staff. (Source: Korea Defense Blog)

Three of the five individuals were reportedly identified by Ukrainian intelligence as early as November 2024 and named in Ukraine’s official submission to the United Nations. Despite initial denials from Moscow, their involvement has now been visually confirmed.

Earlier, on April 28, North Korea officially confirmed it had deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.

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