
Pyongyang's War Profits: $13B From Russia Aid, Seoul Claims
South Korea’s intelligence estimates North Korea earned about $13 billion in the past three years by supplying Russia with weapons, manpower, and other support for the Ukraine war, in exchange for hard currency, energy and tech that help Pyongyang sidestep sanctions; 2025 shipments to Russia are estimated at $7–13.8 billion, with Russia paying over $600 million for NK troop deployments since late 2024, as the two nations deepen ties, including a 2024 mutual-defense treaty.











