Russia Shared Jet-Drone Technology With North Korea, Zelenskiy Says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia may have shared jet-powered drone technology with North Korea, adding to concerns over the expanding military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. He made the claim on Sunday as Russia has sharply increased its use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine. Ukraine has struggled to counter the faster weapons with its existing air defenses and has so far found no effective option beyond using combat aircraft. However, Zelenskiy did not provide evidence that Russia had transferred the technology. He described the claim as his assessment of the growing military cooperation between the two countries.

The reported drone-technology link comes as North Korea has also demonstrated increasingly advanced missile capabilities, highlighting growing concerns over its expanding military cooperation with Russia.

Zelenskiy Ties Russia’s Jet-Drone Technology to North Korea’s Wartime Support

Zelenskiy made the claim after reporters asked whether Moscow had provided Pyongyang with the jet-powered drone technology behind the weapons. Zelenskiy linked the alleged transfer to North Korea’s support for Russia with missiles during the Ukraine war. However, he said he was unsure whether Russia had also shared ballistic-missile technology.

North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, while thousands of North Korean soldiers have gone to Russia and gained combat experience. In addition, South Korea and Western countries have raised concerns that Moscow could be helping Pyongyang strengthen its weapons capabilities in return for military support. However, no independent evidence has confirmed that Russia has transferred its jet-drone technology to North Korea.

North Korea’s New Missile Test Adds to Regional Security Concerns

North Korea has continued to expand its missile capabilities as its military ties with Russia deepen. Pyongyang said Saturday that it had tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile, while Kim Yo Jong said leader Kim Jong Un had personally overseen the launch. She also claimed the missile could change its trajectory at low altitude and had unspecified artificial intelligence capabilities. South Korea said the missile had traveled more than 700 kilometers, while Japan’s Defense Ministry estimated the distance at about 680 kilometers. Japan also said the missile had landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, keeping South Korea and Japan focused on North Korea’s growing weapons capabilities.

The United States has also coordinated with its regional allies after the test. U.S. Pacific Command said the launch had not posed an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, U.S. territory, or its allies. However, the test has added to concerns about North Korea’s increasingly sophisticated missile program and its ability to develop systems designed to complicate regional defenses.The latest launch has therefore underscored the wider security risks created by North Korea’s advancing missile technology and its growing military cooperation with Russia.

Web Resources On Zelenskiy: Russia Shared Jet-Drone Technology With North Korea

1. Reuters : Ukraine believes Russia shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, says Zelenskiy.
2. South China Morning Post : Ukraine believes Russia shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, says Zelensky.
3. Kyiv Independent : ‘Very dangerous moment’, Russia sharing jet-powered drone tech with North Korea, Zelensky says.
4. Euro News : North Korea fires intermediate-range missile, claiming evasive flight and AI features.