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, according to government officials and a research group.
The United States and South Korea have accused North Korea of sending over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia, with experts suggesting Kim Jong Un is seeking advanced military technology and battlefield experience for his troops in return.
South Korea’s top security advisor, Shin Won-sik, revealed that equipment and anti-aircraft missiles aimed at bolstering North Korea’s air defenses have been delivered. “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, adding that North Korea had also received “various forms of economic support.”
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.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin deepened their alliance in June by signing a strategic partnership treaty. 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, during a recent visit to Moscow, affirmed her country’s unwavering support for Russia. 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.”
Both North Korea and Russia face extensive UN sanctions—Pyongyang for its nuclear weapons program and Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. When asked about North Korean troop involvement, Putin deflected, focusing on his criticism of Western support for Ukraine. While North Korea has claimed any deployment of its troops to Russia would comply with international law, it has not officially confirmed sending soldiers.
This development has prompted a shift in tone from South Korea, which has historically refrained from supplying lethal aid to Ukraine but has recently signaled a possible change in policy.
