Russia Sends Pantsir System, Fuel to North Korea

Russia has transferred advanced air defense systems, electronic jammers, and fuel to North Korea in exchange for massive arms shipments and troop deployments, in blatant violation of UN sanctions, according to a multilateral monitoring report.

Since late 2024, Moscow has supplied Pyongyang with at least one Pantsir air defense system, electronic warfare jammers, and missile performance data to improve North Korea’s missile guidance. These systems were reportedly spotted on North Korea’s new Choe Hyon destroyer.

In return, North Korea shipped over 20,000 containers containing 9 million artillery shells, 100 ballistic missiles, 200 heavy artillery pieces, anti-tank weapons, and rockets—enough to arm three brigades. Russian military aircraft, including IL-76 and AN-124 cargo planes, facilitated the deliveries.

Troop Deployments and Fuel Transfers

North Korea dispatched more than 11,000 troops to Russia in 2024, with 3,000 more arriving recently. The soldiers were trained by Russian forces in artillery, drone countermeasures, and infantry tactics. Russia also provided North Korea with over 1 million barrels of fuel—double the annual import cap set by UN sanctions.

The expanding military exchange is underpinned by a bilateral defense treaty signed during a summit between Putin and Kim Jong Un in June 2024.