Russia Supplies North Korea with Pantsir System, Receives Missiles and Troops in Return
Russia has reportedly transferred advanced military equipment to North Korea, including the Pantsir air defense system and electronic warfare (EW) tools.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to a new statement of the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT). The findings were publicly released by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cited by Yonhap News Agency.
In addition to hardware, Russia is believed to have shared technical data on missile capabilities and provided operational support to North Korean forces, potentially enhancing Pyongyang’s targeting capabilities. Such actions directly violate UN Security Council resolutions.
Moreover, the report indicates that Russia supplied North Korea with over one million barrels of fuel between March and October 2024, more than double the UN-mandated annual cap of 500,000 barrels.
On the other side of this growing partnership, Pyongyang has shipped to Russia more than 20,000 containers of military supplies, including approximately 9 million artillery shells, over 100 ballistic missiles, and more than 200 pieces of heavy artillery. Deliveries were facilitated by Russian military aircraft, including Il-76 and An-124 cargo planes, throughout November and December 2023.
The report also flags the illegal presence of around 8,000 North Korean workers in Russia, employed in construction, IT, and agriculture.
North Korea has deployed at least 14,000 troops to Russia since the beginning of 2023, 3,000 this year alone, to support operations and undergo combat training, including anti-drone tactics and infantry exercises.
The deepening military ties follow a defense agreement signed in June 2024 by President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This rapid escalation of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea not only flagrantly violates international sanctions but also poses a serious threat to global security and stability.
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