Russia to Help North Korea Develop Drones for Ukraine Assistance

North Korea could produce drones this year that will be co-developed with Russia, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported earlier this week.

An agreement to receive technical help from Moscow for the co-development has been reached between the countries, the outlet added, citing sources.

The drones will be of various types and be mass-produced in North Korea.

For Military Help in Ukraine

The deal is in return for the deployment of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to aid Russia in Ukraine, according to NHK.

Additional military aid Russia has received from Pyongyang includes artillery pieces, multiple launch rocket systems, and ballistic missiles.

The countries also formalized a defense pact in December, which obligates them to provide swift military assistance in case the other is attacked.

It also calls for joint opposition to Western sanctions.

Meanwhile, Moscow is reportedly reluctant to assist North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, as that could complicate Pyongyong’s relations with the US and neighboring countries, including China.