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Gone quiet · last update Oct 20, 2026 / Russia

Russia and North Korea's alliance, from arms deals to troops in Ukraine

Overview · reviewed October 28, 2026

Russia and North Korea deepened their military partnership during Russia's war against Ukraine. US and South Korean officials reported North Korean arms shipments to Russia,[1][2] and North Korea later confirmed sending troops to support Russia's war.[3] Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un held summits in 2023 and 2024,[4][5] and the two countries opened their first road link across their shared border in September 2026.[6]

Read the timeline

Follow this story to see new developments when you return.

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un held summits in 2023 and 2024,[4][5] and the two countries opened their first road link across their shared border in September 2026.[6]

Coverage over time

Share of tracked outlets · monthly average of weekly shares (UTC)

May 2022: average weekly share 5% (left 1%, center 4%, right 1%), from 2 of 2 weeksJun 2022: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2022: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2022: average weekly share under 1% (left 0%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2022: average weekly share 7% (left 2%, center 3%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2022: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksNov 2022: average weekly share 1% (left 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2022: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksJan 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksFeb 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2023: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksApr 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJun 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2023: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 2%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksAug 2023: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2023: average weekly share 15% (left 4%, center 8%, right 3%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2023: average weekly share 5% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksNov 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2023: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJan 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksFeb 2024: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksApr 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksMay 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2024: average weekly share 10% (left 3%, center 5%, right 2%), from 4 of 4 weeksJul 2024: average weekly share 1% (left 0%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksAug 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2024: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2024: average weekly share 11% (left 4%, center 5%, right 3%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2024: average weekly share 4% (left 1%, center 2%, right 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2025: average weekly share 5% (left 1%, center 3%, right 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2025: average weekly share 3% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2025: average weekly share 2% (left 1%, center 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksSep 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksOct 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksDec 2025: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJan 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksFeb 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMar 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksApr 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksMay 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 4 of 4 weeksJun 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 5 of 5 weeksJul 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksAug 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left 0%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 5 of 5 weeksSep 2026: average weekly share 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksOct 2026: average weekly share under 1% (left under 1%, center under 1%, right under 1%), from 4 of 4 weeksNov 2026: average weekly share 0% (left 0%, center 0%, right 0%), from 2 of 2 weeks, so far

LeftCenterRight

Each bar is the share of the outlets on our Left / Center / Right rating scale that we tracked publishing that week which carried reporting on this story, split by the outlets' ratings. Over more than two years each bar is a month: the average of that month's weekly shares, so the shape stays readable. The weekly table below keeps every week. We track more outlets now than in the archive, so a share keeps earlier and later weeks comparable. An outlet counts once a week however much it published, and outlets in one ownership or syndication group count as one on each side they appear on. A rating describes the outlet, not the report. A gap means no such reports were collected that week, not that nothing was reported anywhere. Weeks run Monday to Sunday in UTC, so a report published on a Sunday evening in US Eastern time counts in the next week. 13 more outlets off the scale (not rated, or outside the left-right graphs) also reported; they are not in this chart. See them.

Weekly counts, outlets and reports (53 weeks with coverage)
Outlets on the rating scale that carried this story each week, of the outlets tracked that week, newest first
Week of (UTC)LeftCenterRightOf trackedShareReceipts
Oct 19, 20262215 of 4791%
Oct 5, 20262114 of 4791%
Sep 28, 20263249 of 4762%
Sep 7, 202644412 of 4803%
Aug 10, 20260235 of 5451%
Aug 3, 20260112 of 537under 1%
Jul 20, 20263126 of 5621%
Jul 7, 2025511218 of 1919%
Apr 28, 202569318 of 2049%
Apr 21, 20251001 of 206under 1%
Feb 24, 202556314 of 1977%
Feb 10, 20252608 of 2144%
Jan 20, 20252428 of 2264%
Jan 13, 2025210113 of 2286%
Jan 6, 2025711624 of 22111%
Dec 23, 2024211215 of 1928%
Dec 16, 2024513624 of 22611%
Nov 25, 202427312 of 1787%
Nov 18, 202427312 of 2255%
Nov 4, 202426311 of 2235%
Oct 28, 20241116633 of 19617%
Oct 21, 20241519943 of 19922%
Oct 14, 20242428 of 1954%
Oct 7, 20240235 of 2052%
Jul 29, 20240718 of 2284%
Jun 17, 202423371676 of 22234%
Jun 10, 202436211 of 2474%
Mar 25, 2024414523 of 2459%
Mar 18, 20243328 of 2463%
Mar 11, 20243115 of 2432%
Feb 19, 2024610218 of 2328%
Feb 5, 20241416 of 2422%
Jan 22, 202428010 of 2384%
Jan 15, 202467316 of 2237%
Jan 1, 202489623 of 23210%
Oct 30, 202357315 of 2336%
Oct 23, 20233429 of 2384%
Oct 16, 202334310 of 2484%
Oct 9, 2023610521 of 2379%
Sep 18, 2023410519 of 2338%
Sep 11, 202321401273 of 24230%
Sep 4, 202317251052 of 25321%
Aug 28, 202389724 of 2659%
Jul 24, 20231021637 of 26214%
Mar 27, 202335311 of 2784%
Dec 19, 202224511 of 1846%
Nov 7, 202253210 of 1915%
Oct 31, 2022106420 of 18111%
Sep 19, 202247516 of 1849%
Sep 5, 20221118736 of 19219%
Aug 15, 20220123 of 1832%
Jun 6, 20221427 of 1864%
May 23, 2022214319 of 19510%

Latest coverage

The newest reporting in this story's record.

  1. Oct 20, 2026 · first reported · Headline from WHEC Rochester

    South Korea to withdraw some embassy staff from Ukraine as row over POW transfer deepens

Background

In September 2022, a US official said Russia was buying rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use in Ukraine.[7] North Korea denied supplying weapons,[8] but the White House later accused it of covertly sending artillery shells.[9] In October 2023, the White House reported that North Korea had shipped more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia.[1] South Korea's intelligence service subsequently reported exports of more than 1 million shells. South Korean officials separately said North Korea had likely supplied missiles as well.[2]

Read the full background (3 more paragraphs)

High-level visits accompanied the military cooperation. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in July 2023 and attended a parade displaying North Korean missiles.[10][11] Kim visited Russia's Far East that September for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and inspected Russian bombers and a warship.[4][12] Putin traveled to North Korea for another summit in June 2024. South Korea summoned Russia's ambassador to protest the agreement reached during the visit.[5][13] Earlier, in March 2024, Russia had vetoed renewal of the UN panel investigating violations of sanctions on North Korea.[14]

The partnership extended to personnel. US officials said in October 2024 that North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms were heading toward Ukraine.[15] South Korea reported in December that at least 100 North Korean soldiers had been killed.[16] In January 2025, Ukraine said it had captured two North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in Russia's Kursk region.[17] North Korea later confirmed its deployment,[3] and Russia's ambassador to Pyongyang said North Korea had treated hundreds of Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine.[18]

The two countries opened their first road link across their shared border in September 2026.[6] In October, South Korea pulled some embassy staff from Ukraine after recalling its over a dispute about North Korean prisoners of war.[19]

Supporting stories (19)
  1. U.S.: North Korea shipped arms to Russia for use in Ukraine
  2. North Korea Has Likely Sent Missiles as Well as Ammunition and Shells to Russia, Seoul Says
  3. North Korea confirms it sent troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine
  4. North Korea's Kim Vows Full Support for Russia’s 'Just Fight' After Viewing Launchpads with Putin
  5. Before his summit with Kim, Putin vows they’ll beat sanctions together
  6. Russia and North Korea open the first road link across shared border
  7. U.S.: Russia to buy N. Korean rockets and artillery shells
  8. North Korea denies sending arms to Russia amid Ukraine war
  9. North Korea 'covertly' supplying artillery shells to Russia: W.House
  10. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister on military cooperation
  11. Russian and Chinese delegates join North Korean leader Kim at a parade showing his newest missiles
  12. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un inspects Russian bombers and a warship on a visit to Russia’s Far East
  13. South Korea summons Russian ambassador as tensions rise with North Korea
  14. Russia protects North Korea in the UN with veto of resolution to investigate sanction violations
  15. North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are heading toward Ukraine, US says
  16. At least 100 North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war, South Korea says
  17. Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia - Boston News, Weather, Sports
  18. Hundreds of wounded Russian soldiers treated in North Korea, envoy says
  19. South Korea to withdraw some embassy staff from Ukraine as row over POW transfer deepens

The full record

Each date is when an update was first reported.

All 78 recorded updates

October 2026

  1. South Korea to withdraw some embassy staff from Ukraine as row over POW transfer deepensHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 8 outlets
  2. South Korea recalls Ukraine ambassador amid POW disputeHeadline from Deutsche Welle · 7 outlets

September 2026

  1. Seoul seeks apology after Ukraine reveals transfer of North Korean POWsHeadline from WFMZ Allentown · 15 outlets
  2. Russia and North Korea open the first road link across shared borderHeadline from Philadelphia Inquirer · 14 outlets

August 2026

  1. Russia using North Korean missiles to strike Ukraine, Zelensky saysHeadline from BBC News · 8 outlets
  2. Zelenskyy says Russia could receive up to 50,000 North Korean troopsHeadline from Euromaidan Press · 7 outlets

July 2026

  1. Russian President Putin meets with North Korean foreign minister in latest high-level diplomacyHeadline from Jonesboro Sun · 6 outlets

July 2025

  1. Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North KoreaHeadline from Seattle Times · 10 outlets
  2. North Korea's Kim offers Russia full support on Ukraine in Lavrov talksHeadline from Digital Journal · 12 outlets

April 2025

  1. Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine, Seoul saysHeadline from NBC News · 5 outlets
  2. North Korea confirms it sent troops to Russia to support its war against UkraineHeadline from Delaware Public Media · 16 outlets

February 2025

  1. North Korea appears to have sent more troops to Russia to back its war against Ukraine, Seoul saysHeadline from New York Post · 15 outlets
  2. Hundreds of wounded Russian soldiers treated in North Korea, envoy saysHeadline from KTVZ Bend · 8 outlets

January 2025

  1. North Korea prepares to send more troops to Russia after suffering casualties, South Korea saysHeadline from NBC4 Washington · 9 outlets
  2. At least 300 North Korean soldiers killed, thousands injured fighting against Ukraine: SeoulHeadline from UPI · 8 outlets
  3. Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia - Boston News, Weather, SportsHeadline from WHDH Boston · 28 outlets
  4. Blinken warns Russia is close to sharing advanced satellite technology with North KoreaHeadline from KTVZ Bend · 6 outlets

December 2024

  1. Several North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine die from injuries, Zelensky saysHeadline from KESQ Palm Springs · 18 outlets
  2. Researcher: North Korea can produce ballistic missiles for Russia to use against Ukraine in monthsHeadline from KOB 4 · 8 outlets
  3. At least 100 North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war, South Korea saysHeadline from BNO News · 26 outlets

November 2024

  1. North Korea’s Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in UkraineHeadline from WTOP Washington DC · 11 outlets
  2. Russian defense minister visits North Korea for talks with military and political leadersHeadline from Local News 8 · 5 outlets
  3. Russia supplied air defense missiles to North Korea, South Korea saysHeadline from WMUR · 15 outlets
  4. Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges allies to take steps before North Korean troops reach the frontHeadline from WTOP Washington DC · 11 outlets

October 2024

  1. Ukrainian troops have engaged with North Korean units in Russia for the first time, official saysHeadline from Anchorage Daily News · 23 outlets

Coverage & sources

Read the reports, see how much was collected over time, or compare outlets by political leaning.

Coverage & sources →