North Korea will "unconditionally" support Russia, including with its operations in Ukraine, leader Kim Jong Un said on Wednesday.

North Korea has become a crucial source of missiles, munitions and even soldiers for Russia’s war in Ukraine as the sanctions-defying alliance between the two countries intensifies, according to a report by 11 countries,

North Korea supplies Russia with ammunition and military equipment, enabling Moscow to continue its military operations in Ukraine. At the same time, former Deputy Minister of Defense of South Korea,

Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team says Russia sent air defense systems to Pyongyang and trained its forces in return

Russia and North Korea entered into a partnership in 2024 that has seen Pyongyang provide Moscow with 11,000 fighting troops—used to fend off a cross-border Ukrainian incursion—and millions of munitions. Now, North Korea's rewards are being revealed.

North Korean troops aiding Russia in Ukraine face heavy casualties, revealing discipline issues and limited effectiveness; despite this, Moscow hails their role and expands military cooperation with Pyongyang.

The Kremlin sent North Korea an advanced air defence system in exchange for thousands of troops that battled Ukrainian forces inside Russia.