n a shocking revelation, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, has claimed that Russia is helping North Korea evade international sanctions and enhance its nuclear capabilities in exchange for troops and arms. Budanov told The Economist that nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, with 2,600 more expected in the Russian border region of Kursk by November 1.
Russia’s support, according to Budanov, includes technologies for smaller tactical nuclear weapons and submarine missile systems. In return, North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with 2.8 million artillery shells and ballistic missiles, crucial in Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
The deepening military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang has raised alarm bells in Kyiv and Seoul, though the reports remain unconfirmed by U.S. and Western officials. North Korea has denied the accusations, while the Kremlin has remained evasive on the issue.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged global allies to respond to North Korea’s escalating involvement, warning of the dangerous implications of this growing partnership. With North Korean brigades training in Russia, the question remains: How will the world respond to this emerging axis of military cooperation?
