Since 2022 and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has deepened its relations with Moscow, first through political support and recognition of the Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, then with shells and soldiers, major media outlets report. In exchange for its support, Pyongyang has received food, fuel, and likely military technology, according to the same sources.
North Korea has always been in a geographically precarious position, surrounded by rival great powers, analysts note. In the early 20th century, Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula, which after World War II was divided between the Soviet Union in the north and the United States in the south. Shortly after North Korea's creation in 1948, the country also gained another communist neighbor in Mao's China. North Korea's first dictator Kim Il Sung sought support from both Stalin and Mao for an attack on the US-backed South Korea. Declassified documents show that Stalin gave the green light for an attack, while Mao was rather informed and in practice had to accept the plan. The Korean War 1950–1953 cost about 2.5 million lives, without significantly changing the borders.
Looking ahead, Russia has stated that the countries want to sign a plan this year for cooperation during the years 2027 to 2031, according to Russian officials. The exact content of the plan remains unknown, as do the specific terms of the exchange between Russia and North Korea, including what military technology Pyongyang may have received. The number of North Korean soldiers deployed to Ukraine has not been confirmed.