North Korea getting a raw deal on support for Russia’s war: Report | Russia-Ukraine war News

In an uneven friendship, Moscow has gained as much as $9.8bn price of arms, plus troops on the battlefield, says German examine. North Korea could have obtained lower than $1bn.

Russia and North Korea have a lopsided deal, with Moscow reaping far higher assist for its battle in Ukraine than the advantages obtained by Pyongyang, in line with a examine.

Printed by German suppose tank Friedrich Naumann Basis on Thursday, Unequal Partnership stories that North Korea has delivered as much as $9.8bn price of weapons, in addition to fighters, to Russia since 2023. Pyongyang’s good points could quantity to as little as an estimated $457m to $1.19bn.

The examine examines the intensifying navy cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The pair signed a landmark mutual defence pact final 12 months, rising concern within the West.

Nevertheless, though the report notes the “outstanding momentum” of relations, it additionally says they’ve “taken on a distinctly uneven character”.

North Korea has shipped thousands and thousands of artillery shells, rockets, and mortar rounds, and a whole bunch of artillery techniques and launchers. The report additionally estimates that North Korean chief Kim Jong Un has equipped about 15,000 troopers to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has supplied solely restricted help, consisting primarily of meals, gasoline, air defence techniques, and probably some fighter plane.

“No substantial inflows of exhausting forex into North Korea may be noticed; monetary transactions seem largely locked inside the Russian banking system,” the report says.

Whereas Pyongyang has gained little in instant financial phrases, the inspiration mentioned 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 expertise, 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 battle 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 up to now.

Final month, the North Korean leader met the households of lifeless troopers, providing condolences for his or her “insufferable ache” and promising the bereaved “a good looking 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 supply instant navy help utilizing “all means” mandatory if both faces “aggression”.