Russia's ties with North Korea have grown since the start of the Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, particularly as Moscow faces increasing international isolation. In March, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution, effectively ending international monitoring of sanctions against North Korea.

Ukraine says North Korean military engineers have been sent to Russia to check how well missiles are launching.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that North Korea was a de facto participant on Russia's side in its war against Ukraine.