Russia Supports North Korea’s Combat Drone Production, Hesitates on Nuclear Aid

Russia has provided North Korea with technical assistance to develop several types of combat drones, which Pyongyang plans to begin mass-producing this year, according to sources cited by Japan’s NHK broadcaster on February 8.

“Multiple sources familiar with Russia-North Korea relations told NHK that the two countries reached an agreement under which the North receives technical help from Russia to develop multiple types of drones to be mass manufactured,” NHK wrote.

According to the outlet sources, the drone development agreement is part of a deal in which North Korea is sending troops to support Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The news agency added that the sources indicate Russia’s hesitation to assist North Korea in developing nuclear weapons.

“They say Moscow worries that factors such as Pyongyang conducting nuclear tests would complicate the North’s relations with the United States as well as neighboring countries, including China,” NHK concluded.

On February 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces have again deployed North Korean soldiers in assaults in the Kursk region.

Previously, on February 4, South Korean intelligence stated that North Korean troops sent to assist Russia’s war against Ukraine have seemingly been absent from combat in the front-line Kursk region since mid-January.

On December 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia had deployed North Korean soldiers for the first time to attack Ukrainian positions in Russia’s Kursk region.