[REVISION HISTORY]

North Korea-Russia alliance amid Ukraine war

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2026-08-16 03:52 UTC → 2026-08-16 05:27 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In July 2026, North Korea intensified its strategic partnership with Russia. On 18 July, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, reaffirming unwavering support for Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine and underscoring the mutual-defence pact signed in 2024. Putin praised North Korean troop contributions that helped push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region. By 29 July, diplomatic outreach expanded following Premier Pak Thae Song’s visit to Beijing. Intelligence reports indicated Russia requested an additional 30,000 North Korean troops and the transfer of various long-range ballistic missiles—including the Hwasong-15, 17, 18, 19, and 20—to bolster Russia’s war effort. This cooperation, alongside high-level exchanges with China, suggests a deepening trilateral alignment. On 15 August, marking the 81st anniversary of Korean Liberation Day, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin exchanged messages reaffirming their ties. Kim expressed pride in the growing relationship and confidence in Russia’s ability to defend its territorial integrity. Putin described the ~~relationship~~ bond as having reached an “unprecedented high level of comprehensive strategic ~~partnership.”~~ partnership,” noting a shared history of struggle against colonial rule. To mark the occasion, the Russian ship Pallada conducted a goodwill visit to Wonsan port. Amidst these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised alarms, accusing Russia of utilizing North Korean ballistic missiles and claiming North Korea has agreed to deploy between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers to support Russian forces.

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