Zelensky says Russia has shared jet-drone technology with North Korea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has transferred jet-drone technology to North Korea, in return for North Korea's prior assistance with missiles. The claim comes as Russia has sharply increased strikes using high-speed "Shahed" drones on Ukraine, which only military fighter aircraft have so far been able to intercept effectively.
Key points
- Zelensky confirmed Russia has shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, answering "Yes, of course" when asked.
- He said Russia is sharing all of its technology with Pyongyang because North Korea helped Russia with missiles.
- North Korea transferred millions of artillery shells to Russia during the full-scale war and later began supplying ballistic missiles used against Ukrainian cities.
- Thousands of North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia for combat experience.
- Russia has sharply increased attacks using high-speed "Shahed" drones on Ukraine in recent weeks.
- Only military fighter aircraft have so far been able to effectively shoot down the jet-powered drones.
Why it matters
If Russia is transferring jet-drone technology to North Korea, it deepens concerns about a two-way arms exchange between the two countries, with North Korea already documented as supplying artillery shells, ballistic missiles and soldiers to Russia. The technology transfer also comes as Russia has sharply increased high-speed "Shahed" drone strikes on Ukraine, and only fighter aircraft have so far been able to reliably intercept the jet-powered variants.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has shared jet-drone technology with North Korea, framing the transfer as reciprocal: North Korea helped Russia with missiles, and Russia is now handing over its technology in return. Asked directly whether North Korea had received jet-drone technology from Moscow, Zelensky answered, "Yes, of course." His comments come as Russia has sharply increased attacks using high-speed "Shahed" drones against Ukraine in recent weeks. Only military fighter aircraft — their cannons — have so far been able to effectively shoot down the jet-powered variants. North Korea is reported to have transferred millions of artillery shells to Russia during the full-scale war, and later began supplying ballistic missiles that Russia has used to strike Ukrainian cities. Pyongyang has also sent thousands of North Korean soldiers to Russia to gain combat experience.
How international sources describe it
The English-language report leads with Zelensky's headline claim and centers his direct quote ("Yes, of course.") as the core of the story. It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the exchange — North Korea's missiles, troops and drone help to Russia in return for Russian technology — and the concerns voiced by South Korea and Western countries about weapons-development support flowing back to Pyongyang. It pairs the claim with reports that North Korea is studying massed drone-and-missile tactics similar to those Russia has used in Ukraine.
Background
In June 2025, then-head of Ukrainian military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov said Russia and North Korea had agreed to produce "Shahed" drones on North Korean territory. In August 2025, Zelensky reported that Russia plans to station up to 50,000 North Korean military personnel on its territory. In late September, the Wall Street Journal reported that North Korea is practicing tactics of massed drone-and-missile attacks similar to those Russia has used against Ukraine. South Korea and Western countries have expressed concern that North Korea is receiving weapons-development support from Moscow in exchange for its assistance. Ukraine and South Korea had a recent dispute after Zelensky announced at the UN General Assembly that Ukraine had transferred two captured North Korean soldiers who had fought for Russia to South Korea. Poland will supply ammunition to strengthen Ukraine's F-16 fighters against jet-powered drones.