North Korea to increase arms supplies to Russia – ISW
Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian president Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
North Korea may increase arms supplies to Russia, with some weapons being transported by a special vessel across the sea, according to the report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
North Korea is expected to increase arms supplies to Russia, with some weapons being transported via a special vessel.
On February 25, a delegation from North Korea's Workers' Party arrived in Moscow at the invitation of Russia's ruling United Russia party. The visit comes amid reports that Pyongyang may boost arms shipments to Russia.
According to the Russian embassy in North Korea, the delegations will discuss expanding cooperation between the two parties in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed in December 2024.
Maritime arms shipments
On February 24, South Korean media outlet Korea JoongAng Daily reported that commercial satellite images from Planet Labs PBC show a 110-meter vessel entering and leaving North Korea's Rason port, near the border with China and Russia.
Satellite images reveal a 100-meter-long line of containers on the dock, next to the docked ship. The vessel was positioned at the inner pier on February 20 before moving to the outer pier on February 21, indicating cargo unloading and reloading before departure.
According to ISW, North Korea likely used Rason Port to transport ammunition to Vladivostok in November 2023.
Russia-North Korea partnership
In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang, where he signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Kim Jong Un. A key clause in the treaty stipulates mutual military assistance in case of aggression against either country.
Over the past year, the two nations have strengthened their partnership. Recently, North Korea and Russia agreed to co-produce combat drones.
Additionally, in 2025, North Korea plans to deliver around 150 ballistic missiles to Russia.
Reports also suggest that North Korean troops fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region. However, due to heavy casualties, Pyongyang had to temporarily withdraw its soldiers from combat units.
