In an uneven friendship, Moscow has gained as much as $9.8bn value of arms, plus troops on the battlefield, says German examine. North Korea could have acquired lower than $1bn.
Printed On 18 Sep 2025
Russia and North Korea have a lopsided deal, with Moscow reaping far better assist for its warfare in Ukraine than the advantages acquired by Pyongyang, in line with a examine.
Printed by German suppose tank Friedrich Naumann Basis on Thursday, Unequal Partnership experiences that North Korea has delivered as much as $9.8bn value of weapons, in addition to fighters, to Russia since 2023. Pyongyang’s beneficial properties could quantity to as little as an estimated $457m to $1.19bn.
Beneficial Tales
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The examine examines the intensifying navy cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The pair signed a landmark mutual defence pact final yr, rising concern within the West.
Nonetheless, though the report notes the “exceptional momentum” of relations, it additionally says they’ve “taken on a distinctly uneven character”.
North Korea has shipped hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, rockets, and mortar rounds, and lots of of artillery techniques and launchers. The report additionally estimates that North Korean chief Kim Jong Un has provided about 15,000 troopers to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow has offered solely restricted assist, consisting primarily of meals, gasoline, air defence techniques, and probably some fighter plane.
“No substantial inflows of laborious forex into North Korea might be noticed; monetary transactions seem largely locked throughout the Russian banking system,” the report says.
Whereas Pyongyang has gained little in instant financial phrases, the inspiration stated its strategic returns lie in battlefield testing of its weapons, entry to potential technological know-how, and a level of political recognition from nearer alignment with a everlasting member of the United Nations Safety Council.
The examine warns that the partnership poses a rising risk to Europe’s safety. It calls on the European Union to reply with stricter controls on dual-use know-how, nearer intelligence cooperation with South Korea and Japan, closing vitality loopholes, and constructing a stronger diplomatic presence in Pyongyang.
The variety of North Korean troops killed amid Russia’s warfare on Ukraine is unclear, however in line with Seoul-based outlet NK Information, South Korea’s NIS intelligence service estimates that about 2,000 North Korean troopers have died to this point.
Final month, the North Korean leader met the households of useless troopers, providing condolences for his or her “insufferable ache” and promising the bereaved “a fantastic life”, state media reported.
Relations between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin have surged considerably since they signed the military alliance in 2024.
The treaty obliges the pair to offer instant navy help utilizing “all means” essential if both faces “aggression”.
