Summary and Key Points: The Russian military's ongoing invasion of Ukraine has turned into a prolonged conflict, with Russia struggling to replace its heavy weapon systems despite heavy losses. As the war drags on, Russia has increasingly turned to allies like Iran and North Korea for military support, including ballistic missiles and armored vehicles.

-Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to supply Ukraine with substantial military aid to counter these developments, committing over $55 billion in security assistance.

-The deepening military alliances between Russia, Iran, and North Korea highlight the global implications of the conflict.

Russia’s Desperate War: Turning to Iran and North Korea for Military Aid

In Ukraine, the Russian military has faced its toughest challenge since the failed occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

 A “special military operation” that was supposed to last from three days to two weeks, is now fast approaching 900 days of heavy fighting.

During this time, the Russian forces have lost close to 600,000 killed, wounded, or captured, as well as tens of thousands of heavy weapon systems. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin advisers have found ways to feed the unsatiable manpower demands of the Russian military, they are having a harder time with heavy systems. You see, it is far easier to send mercenaries, convicts, and poor Russians to their doom than to produce advanced weapon systems necessary to fight an adversary armed with weapons and munitions from the United States and NATO.

As such, Putin and the Kremlin increasingly turn to strange bedfellows for their wartime materiel demands.

Ballistic Missiles From Iran, Military Aid From North Korea 

According to European intelligence services, Russia is getting ready to introduce Iranian ballistic missiles into its arsenal.

It appears that Russian personnel are currently in Iran, receiving training on the Fath-360 Close-Range Ballistic Missile satellite-guided weapon. According to Reuters, Moscow expects to receive hundreds of these long-range missiles to attack Ukraine.

For years now, Moscow has been working with Tehran on military exchange programs. The Iranian Shahed attacks on unmanned aerial systems have proven particularly deadly against Ukrainian urban centers and critical infrastructure. The Russian military has been using thousands of these drones. 

North Korea is another country that has been providing military aid to Russia, including artillery shells and armored vehicles.

“So I think what we've seen is a deepening partnership and cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia. And we've been very clear about our concerns of that deepening alliance along with Iran as well, supplying munitions and capability to Russia as they continue to wage an illegal and unlawful war against their sovereign neighbor,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said during a recent press conference.

“In terms of this armored vehicle that you're referencing, I have, candidly, not seen that report, but we know that the DPRK is providing military assistance to Russia. What I can say is what we're focused on and what we're focused on is making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to be successful to be successful on the battlefield,” Singh added.

Reports from the ground indicate that the Russian forces are operating Bulsae anti-tank armored vehicles provided by North Korea.

To counter such aid from Iran, North Korea, and (potentially) China, the United States has been providing billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine. Thus far, the U.S. has committed over $55 billion in sixty-three packages of security aid.

"You've seen us roll out Presidential drawdown authority packages, you know, pretty consistently. We're going to continue to do that. And of course, Ukraine has the backing of the Ukraine defense contact group that the secretary convenes almost monthly. And I think that is a strong showing of support from the United States and countries like-minded countries all around the world for Ukraine.

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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