Russia's ties with North Korea have grown since the start of the Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, particularly as Moscow faces increasing international isolation. In March, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution, effectively ending international monitoring of sanctions against North Korea.

Ukraine says North Korean military engineers have been sent to Russia to check how well missiles are launching.

Helping Russia in the war is an opportunity for North Korea to test its new weapons, and Ukrainian officials say the North’s troops are also gaining direct battle experience.