Satellites show North Korea profits from supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine

October 23, 2024

By Ukraine

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According to Ukrainian publication Texty, North Korea’s economic conditions have notably improved between 2022 and 2024, coinciding with Pyongyang’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The VIIRS satellite nighttime lighting analysis provides compelling evidence of this improvement.

This new luminosity, particularly visible around key military ports, directly correlates with Pyongyang’s expanding role as Russia’s weapons supplier in its war against Ukraine.

Nighttime illumination is a key global economic indicator that correlates with urbanization, economic activity, and infrastructure development. While North Korea has historically appeared as a dark spot on world maps – in stark contrast to South Korea – recent years have shown a significant increase in nighttime lighting across the country.

The 2024 satellite imagery reveals new illumination patterns (compared to March 2022), particularly around Chongjin Port, a location frequently cited in investigations of weapons shipments to Russia.

Satellite nighttime lighting analysis of North Korea. Map by Texty

Conversely, much of Ukraine has descended into darkness during this period. Satellite imagery from March 2024 shows a significant reduction in nightlight compared to March 2021.

Satellite nighttime lighting analysis of Ukraine. Map by Texty

Timeline of North Korean military support to Russia:

September 2022: First reports emerge of North Korean artillery supplies to Russia (New York Times, citing US intelligence)
October 2023: US officials confirm weapon deliveries, citing over 1,000 containers of military cargo
Early 2024: US confirms North Korean ballistic missile supplies to Russia
October 2024: South Korean intelligence reports approximately 12,000 North Korean troops training in Russia for frontline deployment.

Russia’s motivation is strategic: North Korean weapons help offset domestic production shortages, while Korean military personnel could help Putin avoid general mobilization in Russia.

According to Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, this partnership involves North Korea receiving financial compensation and nuclear technology as part of confidential agreements within a mutual aid pact signed by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June 2024.

In response, South Korea has indicated the potential consideration of providing weapons to Ukraine.

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