How Russia pays DPRK for the involvement in the war — NYT

North Korea and Russia ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in November. DPRK troops were sent to the war against Ukraine, while Russia pays in oil, food, and weapons modernization.

The NYT writes about it.

Russia's deal with the DPRK

According to Elena Huseynova, a researcher at Hankuk University of International Relations in Seoul, North Korea has earned up to $5.5 billion from arms deals with Russia. Now, the country's annual earnings could reach up to $572 million through the deployment of troops. However, neither side has disclosed how Moscow pays North Korea.

According to satellite images, DPRK oil tankers bring in much more Russian oil than is allowed under UN sanctions. North Korean troops also receive valuable information from the battlefield, including innovations in the use of drones.

At the same time, the war in Ukraine makes it possible to test KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles against Western air defense systems in real combat. South Korea fears that in the future, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un will agree with Russia to help develop the technologies needed for nuclear missiles to hit targets across the Pacific Ocean.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said that Russia is already using North Korean soldiers for assaults. So far, it is only the Kursk region.

A video with dozens of dead DPRK soldiers was also posted online, but the CCD believes that the number is higher.