Honestly, if you looked at the headlines three years ago, nobody would’ve bet on this. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un? It sounded like a weird political thriller plot. But here we are in January 2026, and the bond between Moscow and Pyongyang is basically the most significant shift in global security since the Cold War ended. It’s not just about "friendship" or those flashy photos of them driving a Russian-made Aurus limo through the streets of Pyongyang.
It’s about survival.
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Just a few days ago, on January 9, 2026, Kim Jong Un sent a letter to Putin that was... intense. He pledged "permanent" support for Russia’s policies. He didn't say "we're friends for now." He said he’d stand by Russia unconditionally. That’s a massive departure from North Korea’s usual "juche" policy of self-reliance. You’ve gotta wonder what Putin promised in return to get that kind of loyalty.
The Treaty That Changed Everything
The real turning point was June 2024. Putin flew to Pyongyang—his first visit in 24 years—and they signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. This wasn't some boring trade memo. Article 4 of that treaty is the kicker: it says if one of them gets attacked, the other has to jump in with "all means" available.
Basically, they created a mutual defense pact. It’s the closest thing to a formal military alliance Russia has outside of its immediate neighbors.
Some people call it "transactional." Sure, it is. Russia needs artillery shells for the long haul in Ukraine. North Korea has millions of them. They might be old, and some might be duds, but in a war of attrition, quantity is a quality all its own. By late 2024, reports from Western and South Korean intelligence started trickling in about something much bigger than just ammo.
Soldiers on the Move: The 12,000-Troop Reality
It’s not a secret anymore. By the end of 2024, about 12,000 North Korean soldiers were training in eastern Russia—places like Ussuriysk and Ulan-Ude. They even gave them Russian uniforms and fake IDs to try and hide who they were. It didn't work.
By early 2025, the first North Korean POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Think about that for a second. You’ve got soldiers from the "Hermit Kingdom" fighting on European soil. It’s wild.
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Kim Jong Un even recently admitted his troops were helping clear landmines for Russia. Why would he risk his elite "Storm Corps" units?
- Combat Experience: His generals haven't fought a real war in 70 years. Now they’re learning about drone warfare and modern electronic jamming first-hand.
- Cash: Russia is reportedly paying North Korea millions in foreign currency and food.
- The Tech Gap: This is the big scary one. North Korea wants Russian help with spy satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.
Why This Isn't Just "Business as Usual"
A lot of experts, like Alexander Gabuev from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, point out that Putin has basically flipped the script. For years, Russia at least pretended to follow UN sanctions against North Korea. Not anymore. Putin essentially killed the UN panel that was supposed to monitor those sanctions back in early 2024.
He’s basically told the West, "If you keep arming Ukraine, I’ll arm the one country you’re most afraid of." It’s a high-stakes game of geopolitical blackmail.
What Most People Miss: The China Factor
You’d think China would love this, right? Two of its allies teaming up against the U.S.? Kinda. But actually, Beijing is probably a little nervous. They like having North Korea as a buffer zone, but they don't necessarily want Kim Jong Un getting too bold because he has Putin’s backing. If North Korea starts a mess in East Asia, it ruins China’s economic stability.
It’s a weird love triangle. North Korea is using Russia to get a bit of "independence" from China, while Russia is using North Korea to show it still has friends.
What Happens Next?
If you're trying to figure out where this goes, keep an eye on these specific things. This isn't just a news story; it’s a shift in how the world works.
- Technological Transfers: Watch for North Korea's next satellite launch. If it suddenly works perfectly, you can bet there’s a Russian engineer's fingerprints all over it.
- The "Second Front" Risk: The more Russia relies on North Korea, the more the U.S. has to worry about the Korean Peninsula. That’s exactly what Putin wants: to distract Washington from Ukraine.
- Economic Integration: We’re seeing more North Korean laborers heading back into Russia to work in construction and timber. It’s a direct violation of UN rules, but Putin doesn't seem to care about those anymore.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're following this, don't just look at the military stuff. The real "meat" of this relationship is in the logistics.
- Watch the rail lines: Most of the ammo and troops move via the Khasan-Tumangang crossing. Increased activity there is the best early warning sign of new escalations.
- Follow the money: North Korea is becoming a hub for Russian "shadow" banking. They’re helping each other bypass the SWIFT system.
- Don't ignore the rhetoric: When Kim Jong Un uses words like "invincible alliance" (which he did in his 2026 New Year's message), he’s signaling to his own people that the era of isolation is over.
This alliance isn't going away when the fighting in Ukraine slows down. They’ve built something long-term. Putin and Kim have realized that together, they can cause a lot more trouble than they can alone. And for two leaders facing heavy sanctions, trouble is the only currency they have left.
To stay ahead of these developments, monitor the official state media releases from the KCNA and the Kremlin’s English-language transcripts. Often, the most telling details are buried in the "ceremonial" language of these official letters. Pay close attention to any mention of "military-technical cooperation"—that's the specific code for the high-end weapons tech transfers that could change the balance of power in the Pacific.