Russia’s Friendship With North Korea Tested as Casualties Mount in Ukraine War
Despite pledges of an everlasting bond, North Korea appears to be distancing itself from its controversial alliance with Russia. Despite supplying troops to bolster Putin’s war effort, Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s Supreme Leader, is reportedly displeased with how his soldiers are deployed on the battlefield in Ukraine.
A Kremlin insider revealed that Kim Jong-un is growing concerned over Moscow’s use of North Korean soldiers as "cannon fodder." While no solid data is available to confirm casualty numbers, the implication is clear: losses are destabilizing the already precarious alliance between Russia and North Korea.
Sources on Telegram report that reassured by promises of unwavering friendship and full support for Russia’s invasion, Kim Jong-un is now hesitant to increase military support. The growing losses on the front lines have angered the North Korean leader, adding strain to the already questionable partnership.
Analysts suggest that Kim Jong-un’s reassessment of the situation might stem from
concerns about his troops’ high casualty rates. The lack of adequate training and supplies for North Korean soldiers deployed in Ukraine is causing an alarming death toll.
"It appears Team Putin are running out of friends," one commentator shared online.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, remains tight-lipped on what tensions might be undermining the alliance. However, unspoken anxieties over the future of this partnership are amplified by the Reports indicate that North Korea
The dynamics of the Russia-North Korea alliance remain tense. While both nations seek agreement on the deployment, the core of the cooperation might be fraying
Despite the bond initially forged in the flawless GMT
Could the tensions between Russia and North Korea foreshadow realignments in global alliances beyond just these two countries?
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, an expert on East Asian geopolitics. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** This week we’ve seen reports suggesting a rift forming between Russia and North Korea, despite their recent pledges of an “everlasting bond.” What are your thoughts on this potential shift?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s certainly a complex situation. Both countries have undeniable strategic interests in aligning against the US, as evidenced by the recent security treaty [[1](https://www.csis.org/analysis/new-russia-north-korea-security-alliance)]. However, reports of high North Korean casualties in Ukraine and Kim Jong-un’s alleged dissatisfaction with Russia’s deployment tactics raise serious questions about the sustainability of this alliance.
**Host:** Some commentators are even suggesting that Russia is losing its grip on its international partnerships. What do you make of that?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s too early to say definitively whether Russia is permanently losing allies. However, the concerns around Russia’s handling of the war in Ukraine and its economic stability clearly have repercussions.
**Host:** Do you think this tension will continue to escalate, or could we see a reconciliation between the two nations?
**Dr. Carter:** Only time will tell. Much depends on the battlefield developments in Ukraine, the willingness of both sides to compromise, and the broader geopolitical context.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, thanks for sharing your insights. It’s a situation worth watching closely indeed. Do you think this growing tension between Russia and North Korea signals a broader shift in global alliances?
