Russia has given North Korea (DPRK) at least one of its Pantsir-class combat vehicles in a package of military hardware and support to advance Pyongyang’s capabilities following its aiding of Moscow’s war with Ukraine, a report has found.
The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), established by 11 allied countries, including the U.S. and South Korea, and which uses their intelligence, has published its first report on the sanctions-evading cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Russia and North Korea entered into a partnership in 2024 that has seen Pyongyang provide Moscow with 11,000 fighting troops—used to fend off a cross-border Ukrainian incursion—and millions of munitions. Now, North Korea’s rewards are being revealed.
Russia Helps North Korea Improve Missiles
The MSMT accused the two countries of having “engaged in [a] myriad of unlawful activities explicitly prohibited” under United Nations Security Council resolutions. “These violations threaten international peace and security,” the report said.
The report said Russia had transferred to North Korea a Pantsir mobile air defense system, which is “designed to target fixed and rotary wing-aircraft, cruise missiles, precision munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).”
“The deployment of the Pantsir provides the DPRK with a more modernized air defense system compared to its current inventory of legacy Russian systems and its domestically-produced systems that have yet to be deployed,” it said.
Russia has also given North Korea advanced electronic warfare systems, including jamming equipment, and supported North Korea’s ballistic missile programs by providing data feedback on ballistic missiles, leading to improvements in missile guidance performance.”
The South’s Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) think tank said North Korea had generated more than $20 billion for its economy through its aid for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at…
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.
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Putin, Kim Acknowledge Troop Involvement
Leaders of both countries broke their silence on North Korean troops fighting for Russia back in April.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang “regards it as an honor to have an alliance with such a powerful state…and is pleased that the participation of the sub-units of our armed forces in the war has further strengthened the militant ties between the two countries.”
He called the troops “heroes” with a “sacred mission” and said a monument would be erected in Pyongyang in their honor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had said the Russian people “will never forget the feat of the North Korean special forces fighters. We will always honor the heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our common freedom, on a par with Russian brothers in arms.”