Overview

• Research for the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung estimates Pyongyang has supplied weapons worth at least $5.6 billion and sent roughly 15,000 troops since 2023, with an upper valuation cited up to $9.8 billion.
• Russia’s compensation is assessed at about $450 million to $1.2 billion, with no visible boost to North Korea’s economy according to the study.
• Reported returns to Pyongyang consist mainly of food, oil and limited military systems such as air-defence kits and GPS jammers, with no clear evidence of significant hard-currency inflows.
• South Korea’s NIS estimates around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in the fighting, and briefings relayed that Kim Jong Un has complained to Vladimir Putin about inadequate payback.
• Recent reporting notes strains in the partnership, including rare North Korean state-media criticism of Russian coordination, and analysis says Pyongyang is exploring closer economic ties with China.