Moscow Supplying Pyongyang with Advanced Military Technology Capable of Shifting Peninsula Power Balance
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief accuses Russia of providing advanced military technology to North Korea, including drone production support and missile upgrades. North Korea confirms it has deployed troops to assist Russia in Ukraine.
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Moscow Supplying Pyongyang with Advanced Military Technology Capable of Shifting Peninsula Power Balance
YEREL GÜNDEM / UKRAINE
Ukrainian Intel Chief Warns of Russia–North Korea Military Collaboration
Ukraine’s Chief of Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, has revealed that Russia is transferring advanced military technologies to North Korea in a move that could significantly alter the strategic balance on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking to The War Zone on June 7, 2025, Budanov highlighted a deepening military partnership that includes drone production and missile enhancement programs.
Joint Drone Production and Enhanced Missile Capabilities
According to Budanov, Moscow is assisting Pyongyang in manufacturing Iranian-style Shahed-136 drones—known in Russia as Harpy and Geranium—by helping establish production facilities inside North Korea. He also cited improvements in the accuracy of North Korea’s KN-23 ballistic missiles, attributing this to joint technical efforts between Russian and North Korean specialists. These developments, Budanov warned, pose a significant risk to the regional military equilibrium between North and South Korea.
11,000 North Korean Troops Reportedly Stationed in Kursk
Budanov disclosed that roughly 11,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia's Kursk region. These forces, initially labeled as “migrant workers,” are believed to be replacing Central Asian laborers seen as potential security risks. Many of these so-called workers have reportedly signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, effectively making them active military personnel.
North Korea Officially Confirms Troop Deployment to Russia
For the first time, North Korea has formally confirmed it is sending troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. This unprecedented move was acknowledged in a statement from the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, citing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed on June 19, 2024.
Terms of the Strategic Military Alliance
The agreement, sealed during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Pyongyang, includes mutual defense commitments, should either nation face external attack. Additional accords were signed on medical training, scientific cooperation, and the construction of a new border bridge over the Tuman River. Putin praised the pact as a “guarantee of mutual support,” while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called Russia “the most faithful friend and ally of the Korean people.”
Legal Justification Sparks Debate
The North Korean government insists its military assistance complies with all international laws, including United Nations standards. However, legal experts question the legitimacy of Pyongyang’s claims, noting that direct military involvement in a foreign conflict under a bilateral deal could breach several UN resolutions.
