As sanctions and isolation took hold following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow turned eastward and, in its traditional fashion of ingenuity, responded asymmetrically, seeking economic, political, and military support from its ideological allies.

Over the past three-plus years, Moscow has built a network of partnerships with China, North Korea, and Iran. The North Korea–Russia partnership, however, has been the most fruitful of all, with North Korean ammunition, missiles, artillery equipment, and later troops being supplied to Moscow. Kim Jong Un has pledged unequivocal support to Moscow and its war against Ukraine. The partnership has also become a two-way relationship, with critical technology originally transferred to Russia being upgraded and sent back to North Korea.

One of the most dangerous aspects of this relationship involves the KN-23 ballistic missile. Since 2024, North Korean KN-23s have bolstered Russia’s arsenal, being used in deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. The upgrades done to the KN-23 missiles have not only increased the deadliness of Moscow’s ballistic threat........

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