Russia boosts military cooperation with top ally

On June 4, Sergei Shoigu—Russia’s Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister—visited North Korea for the second time in three months to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Shoigu serves as the Kremlin’s main negotiator for securing North Korean military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

According to British intelligence, North Korea has sent about 11,000 soldiers to support Russian forces in the Kursk region, with more than half reportedly not returning home. Kim Jong-un’s decision to deploy troops to help Putin marks a significant step in the countries’ military cooperation.

As of mid-June, British intelligence reports that North Korean military involvement remains confined to the Kursk area inside Russia. Any move to expand their operations beyond Russian territory—especially into internationally recognized Ukrainian land—would require joint approval from both Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

(MH with AmBar - Source: The Korea Times - Photo: © Unsplash)