Summary

North Korea is set to receive Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets from Russia in exchange for deploying thousands of troops to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo.

While the troops are reportedly in combat zones, their direct involvement in fighting remains disputed.

This military collaboration has raised concerns about the potential transfer of advanced technology to bolster North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.

The growing Russia-North Korea alliance has been called a “dangerous escalation” by U.S. officials and has alarmed regional powers like South Korea.