North Korean troops join Russia's Victory Day parade, underscoring deepening military ties

For the first time, North Korean ground, naval and air forces marched on Red Square during Russia's 81st Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany. The contingent carried the DPRK flag and a Victory Day banner, and after the ceremony President Vladimir Putin met the unit's commander and thanked the troops.

The participation follows the June 2024 strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin and reflects North Korea's deployment of roughly 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. Kim sent a congratulatory message reiterating the alliance, while analysts view the public display as a sign of increasingly open military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang amid Western sanctions and heightened geopolitical tension.