Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister, Valery Gerasimov, declared the establishment of "active comprehensive cooperation" with North Korea during a conference with foreign military attaches in Moscow. Gerasimov highlighted that Russia continues to maintain strategic partnerships with India and China.

In September, President Vladimir Putin held a one-on-one summit with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, in Moscow. Despite numerous UN sanctions against North Korea related to its weapons and ballistic missile programs, Putin expressed the potential for military collaboration between the two countries.

"There are certain restrictions... Under the current rules, we also have opportunities, which we see and discuss," Putin stated during the summit.

The visit by Kim Jong-un followed a July visit to North Korea by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The engagements between Russian and North Korean leaders have raised concerns among the United States and its allies about the possibility of North Korea providing weapons and ammunition to Russia, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. and its allies have voiced concerns that Moscow might be helping Pyongyang evade UN sanctions, specifically related to ballistic missile programs and aeronautical engineering. The Kremlin, however, has dismissed these allegations as "absolutely unfounded."