North Korea and Russia have concluded a secret agreement on drone production.

According to NHK sources, North Korea plans to start producing drones this year using Russian technologies.

The agreement on technical assistance for the development and mass production of drones between North Korea and Russia indicates a deepening military connection between these states, which signed a strategic partnership agreement last year.

International sources claim that the agreement on drone development is a compensation for North Korea's assistance to Russian military forces in the conflict with Ukraine.

At the same time, Russia is reluctant to support North Korea's nuclear weapons development due to fears of worsening relations with the United States and neighboring countries, particularly China.

In November 2024, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the tests of a kamikaze drone and assured the development of a system for its mass production.

Earlier, there was information in the FT regarding the supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.