North Korea to make drones co-developed with Russia, media says
Photo: Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin (kremlin.ru)
North Korea will start producing combat drones. The drones will be developed jointly with Russia in exchange for sending DPRK troops to the war against Ukraine, reports NHK.
The media, citing sources, notes that the two countries have reached an agreement under which North Korea receives technical assistance from Russia to develop several types of drones for mass production.
NHK suggests that the agreement was concluded amid strengthening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. The interlocutors point out that the agreement on the development of drones was concluded in exchange for North Korea sending soldiers to fight against Ukraine.
Sources also say that Russia does not want to support North Korea in developing nuclear weapons, as Moscow is concerned about Pyongyang's nuclear tests. This could complicate the DPRK's relations with the United States and neighboring countries, including China.
DPRK helps Russia
In the fall of 2024, North Korea sent troops to Russia, which were later deployed to the war zone in the Kursk region.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the DPRK sent about 12,000 soldiers to Russia. North Korean troops took part in the fighting and suffered losses. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the DPRK lost about 4,000 soldiers.
According to the Ukrainian military, DPRK units were withdrawn from the front line due to the losses. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians had again brought North Korean forces to the frontline for assaults in the Kursk region.
