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ConflictsUkraine

North Korea expands role in Russia's war with Ukraine

06:11

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Brent Goff
August 12, 2026

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has warned that Moscow can no longer sustain the conflict without North Korean reinforcements. Does Moscow really depend on Pyongyang? North Korea analyst Jenny Town shares her insights with DW.

Jenny Town is a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of its Korea program "38 North."

Her areas of expertise include North Korea, US-DPRK relations, US-ROK alliance relations and extended deterrence, and Northeast Asia regional security. 

DW asked Town what North Korea is gaining from the Ukraine war and whether Pyongyang's growing involvement changes the nature of the conflict.

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