Russia Elevates North Korea Over China, Iran as Key Ukraine Ally

Russia has increasingly come to rely on North Korea as a critical ally, surpassing the importance of China and Iran in supporting Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. North Korea has provided Russia with ammunition, heavy weapons, and thousands of troops deployed on the frontlines, with plans to send an additional 30,000 soldiers, tripling their current contingent. This alliance, formalized by a mutual defense treaty in June 2024, has allowed North Korean forces to gain valuable combat experience while enhancing Kim Jong-Un's strategic leverage, including receiving Russian oil, wheat shipments, and military technology transfers. Meanwhile, North Korea's rapid naval and missile advancements, including launching large guided missile destroyers and developing submarine-launched cruise missiles, have heightened regional security tensions and spurred increased defense spending by South Korea, Japan, and the United States. In contrast, Russia's relationship with Iran is strained despite past military cooperation, as recent air strikes on Iran saw little support from Moscow, and espionage activities between the two countries have intensified. These dynamics underline Russia's shifting alliances and the complex geopolitical landscape amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.