In a startling new report released by Western intelligence agencies and allied governments, evidence has surfaced that Russia and North Korea are jointly violating United Nations sanctions in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The report outlines how the two nations are circumventing international rules through arms trades, technology sharing, and covert financial channels—all aimed at strengthening Russia’s war effort against Ukraine.
This detailed account of the situation brings together intelligence gathered over many months from satellite images, intercepted communications, and information shared by defectors and informants. Western officials describe a growing military and economic alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang that undermines decades of diplomatic work meant to isolate North Korea and contain Russian aggression
According to the report, cooperation between Russia and North Korea intensified in late 2022, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine faced unexpected setbacks. Russia, hit hard by sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and other international partners, began looking eastward for help. North Korea, long isolated and desperate for foreign currency, saw an opportunity to not only gain money but also improve its own military capabilities through technological exchange.
The first signs of this alliance were small: minor shipments of artillery shells and old Soviet-style ammunition, which North Korea has in abundance. These supplies reportedly helped Russia continue its bombardments of Ukrainian cities at a time when Russian factories were struggling to keep up with demand due to sanctions and logistical breakdowns.
The report details the delivery of a wide range of North Korean-made weapons to Russia. These include:
Artillery shells, particularly 152mm and 122mm rounds compatible with Soviet-era weapons.
Short-range ballistic missiles, including some of the KN-series missiles previously tested by Pyongyang.
Infantry equipment, such as small arms and protective gear. Rocket launchers and portable anti-aircraft systems.
In return, Russia has reportedly supplied North Korea with much-needed commodities and technologies that have long been restricted under UN sanctions. These include:
Oil and refined fuels, which North Korea has been forbidden from importing in large quantities. Military aircraft parts to repair and modernize North Korea’s aging fleet.
Satellite and space technology to help North Korea develop more accurate long-range missile guidance systems.
Cyber warfare tools that North Korea can use to conduct operations against financial institutions and foreign governments.
The report reveals an intricate web of smuggling routes stretching from North Korea’s northeastern ports to Russian territory, often involving third-party intermediaries in China and the Middle East. Much of the smuggling is conducted under the guise of humanitarian or commercial shipping.
To obscure the true nature of these shipments, the cargo is often falsely labeled, with documentation listing items as “construction materials,” “industrial tools,” or “agricultural supplies.” Ships disable their transponders while traveling through international waters, making tracking difficult.
Some ships have been observed unloading cargo in Russian Far East ports like Vladivostok, where containers are quickly transferred to trains and trucks bound for Russian military depots near Ukraine.
The report accuses both nations of violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions. For North Korea, these violations include breaches of restrictions on arms exports, nuclear weapons development, and international financial transactions. For Russia, the violations pertain to importing sanctioned goods and using foreign weapons in aggressive warfare.
Despite these violations, enforcement of sanctions has been difficult. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has veto power and routinely blocks or waters down new resolutions. China, North Korea’s main ally, has also resisted efforts to punish Pyongyang, citing concerns about regional stability.
The international response has so far been limited to strongly worded condemnations, expanded sanctions lists, and pressure campaigns. However, Western officials now warn that the scale of the cooperation between Russia and North Korea is far more dangerous than previously assumed. influx of North Korean weaponry has had a noticeable impact on the battlefield. While North Korean arms are often outdated and less precise than modern Western systems, they have allowed Russia to maintain pressure on Ukrainian defenses.
In particular, mass artillery bombardments made possible by North Korean shells have slowed Ukrainian counteroffensives. In the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Ukrainian forces have found remnants of North Korean ammunition in spent shell casings and unexploded ordnance.
There are also growing concerns about North Korean missiles being used in strikes on civilian targets. In January 2025, a missile that hit a residential block in Kharkiv was initially thought to be a Russian Iskander. However, upon further analysis, Ukrainian investigators determined it was likely a variant of the KN-23, a North Korean missile with similar design features.
In recent months, high-ranking officials from both countries have been spotted visiting one another, sometimes through back channels and private flights. In March 2025, North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam was reported to have visited a Russian military research facility, escorted by Russian intelligence operatives. A month later, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was seen touring military installations near Pyongyang, where he reportedly observed missile tests.
These visits mark a rare moment of openness between two of the world’s most secretive regimes. Analysts believe the purpose of these meetings is to finalize long-term cooperation deals, which could include joint weapons production and mutual defense pledges.
The report concludes with a stark warning: the alliance between Russia and North Korea could grow into a more formalized and permanent military partnership if left unchecked. This would not only undermine UN sanctions but also challenge the global security framework.
Western governments are now considering several options:
Further sanctions targeting individuals and companies involved in the arms trades.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for urgent action during a press conference in Kyiv, saying, “The international community must wake up to this dangerous alliance. The weapons killing our civilians today are coming from Pyon
gyang with Moscow’s blessing. This is no longer just Russia’s war—it is a shared project of terror.
