Russia-North Korea alliance

Up to 25,000 North Koreans in Russia build Shahed drones under student cover

Russia is increasingly using North Korean workers to produce drones for its war against Ukraine, defying international sanctions and providing North Korea with a significant source of income to finance its illicit weapons programs, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 17, citing a report by the United States and its allies.

17 September, 05:24 PM

Zelenskyy: 10,000 North Korean troops training in Russia

About 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently on Russian territory and are gaining dangerous knowledge of modern hybrid warfare, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Kyodo News.

20 February, 12:42 PM

Russia relies on North Korean forces as war drags on

North Korean soldiers are stationed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast and actively supporting the enemy’s war efforts against Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported on Telegram on Feb. 4.

4 February, 12:49 PM

Russian delegation holds fresh talks in Pyongyang on deploying North Korean troops to Ukraine war

North Korea confirmed on Nov. 7 that a Russian military delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Goremykin had arrived in Pyongyang, state news agency KCNA reported.

7 November 2025, 04:35 PM

North Korean drone operators aid Russian artillery strikes in Sumy Oblast

The Russian military command has deployed North Korean units to support operations in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, where they conduct drone reconnaissance and adjust multiple rocket launcher fire on Ukrainian Defense Forces positions, the General Staff said in a statement on Oct. 16.

16 October 2025, 06:30 PM

North Korea boosts subs with Russian aid

Pyongyang has reportedly received technical assistance from Moscow for its submarine development, Reuters reported on Oct. 13, citing South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back.

13 October 2025, 10:46 AM

Russia may have transferred nuclear submarine reactor to North Korea — report

South Korea’s military has obtained intelligence suggesting that Russia may have handed over a nuclear reactor to North Korea for use in submarines, according to a Korea JoongAng Daily report published on Sept. 18, citing several government officials. Seoul is currently verifying the information and has not issued a formal confirmation.

18 September 2025, 07:37 PM

‘Prison without bars’: North Koreans who fled Russia describe slave-like labor conditions

Thousands of North Korean citizens are sent to Russia each year, but their working conditions are akin to slavery — 18-hour shifts, just two days off a year, and constant surveillance by North Korean security agents, the BBC reported on Aug. 12, citing six North Korean laborers who escaped Russia after the war against Ukraine began.

12 August 2025, 03:35 PM

Russia eyes North Korea, China for exports from seized U.S.-owned cannery

Russia is planning to ramp up exports from a confiscated American-owned canned food company, looking to offset falling domestic sales by targeting new markets in China and North Korea, Reuters reported on July 10.

11 July 2025, 04:41 PM

Kim Jong Un vows continued support for Russia’s war in Ukraine

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un pledged continued support for Russia’s war against Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu in Pyongyang, state-run North Korean outlet KCNA reported on June 4.

5 June 2025, 10:15 AM

Russia and North Korea boast of 'success' in Kursk Oblast

Russian and North Korean officials have praised the "success" of their joint military operations in Kursk Oblast, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on April 28.

29 April 2025, 11:11 AM

North Korea mocked international law by sending troops to Russia, says South Korea

South Korea has condemned North Korea’s first public acknowledgment of sending troops to Russia to participate in its war against Ukraine, Yonhap reported on April 28.

28 April 2025, 02:35 PM

Russia-North Korea alliance