Russia has reportedly provided North Korea with oil, anti-air missiles, and economic support in exchange for troops to aid Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
This development was revealed by government officials and a research group, who claim that North Korea has sent over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia.
According to South Korea’s top security advisor, Shin Won-sik, North Korea has received equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at bolstering its air defenses.
“It has been identified that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at reinforcing Pyongyang’s vulnerable air defense system have been delivered to North Korea,” Shin told broadcaster SBS. Additionally, North Korea has received “various forms of economic support,” Shin added.
The non-profit research group Open Source Centre reported that Pyongyang has acquired oil shipments from Russia. Citing satellite imagery, the group stated that North Korean oil tankers had made 43 trips to a Russian oil terminal over the past eight months, with tanks leaving nearly full after arrival.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy was quoted as saying the oil was payment for weapons and troops provided by Pyongyang.
The alliance between North Korea and Russia has been deepening, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signing a strategic partnership treaty in June.
The agreement obligates both countries to provide military assistance “without delay” in the event of an attack and to cooperate internationally to counter Western sanctions. Putin described the treaty as a “breakthrough document.”
Analysts believe North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine represents a recalibration of its foreign policy. By sending troops and military support, Pyongyang appears to be positioning itself as a key player in Russia’s war economy, potentially sidestepping its traditional reliance on China. In return, Russia could offer North Korea access to its extensive natural resources, including oil and gas.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently reaffirmed her country’s support for Russia during a visit to Moscow. She described Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as a “sacred struggle” and expressed confidence in Putin’s leadership, stating, “We will stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day.”
