Zelensky says Russia shared jet drone technology with North Korea
In short
Ukrainian President Zelensky said Russia has shared technology for jet-engine-powered drones with North Korea, calling the two countries’ defence cooperation “dangerous”. He said Russia’s jet drones are hard to intercept and are causing expanding damage in Ukraine. The documents present the transfer as his stated view rather than an independently confirmed fact.
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Ukrainian President Zelensky said on October 4 that Russia has shared technology for jet-engine-powered drones with North Korea, describing the two countries’ defence cooperation as dangerous. The claim, made at a press conference, was reported by Sankei Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun and NHK News. NHK reported that Zelensky indicated manufacturing technology for Russia’s new drone — a new model of the Russia-developed “Geran” — is reaching North Korea. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Zelensky said the jet-engine drones Russia uses in large numbers fly faster than conventional drones and are difficult to intercept, and that damage from them is expanding in Ukraine. Mainichi reported that the drones are used heavily in attacks on the capital, Kyiv, and quoted Zelensky telling the October 4 press conference in Kyiv that “Russia is intensifying terrorist acts”. [ 1 , 4 ]
According to Sankei Shimbun, Zelensky said Russian forces are teaching North Korean soldiers sent to Russia how to pilot drones and how to use electromagnetic waves to disrupt enemy drones, which he called “very dangerous”. He asserted that Russia is “sharing all technologies” with North Korea in return for supplies of ammunition and missiles, and said Russia license-produces Iranian kamikaze drones and has provided them to Iran when needed. Sankei reported that Zelensky explained the state of Russia-North Korea defence cooperation to former Japanese defence minister Itsunori Onodera of the Liberal Democratic Party and others who recently visited Kyiv. [ 1 ]
The documents present the technology transfer as Zelensky’s stated view rather than an independently confirmed fact, and give no technical details or evidence. Sankei Shimbun wrote that if North Korea actually acquires the technology it could pose a major threat to Japan and other nearby East Asian countries. NHK reported that Zelensky called the rapprochement between Russia and North Korea “dangerous”. [ 1 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The claim, if accurate, points to Russian drone technology reaching North Korea; Sankei Shimbun wrote that North Korea acquiring it could pose a major threat to Japan and other nearby East Asian countries. The reports also underline the difficulty Ukraine faces against faster jet-powered drones, which Ukrainian officials say is growing.
Key facts
- Zelensky said at an October 4 press conference that Russia is providing jet-drone technology to North Korea. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ukraine is being attacked by jet-engine drones that fly faster than conventional drones and are difficult to intercept, with damage expanding. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Zelensky said Russia is teaching North Korean soldiers sent to Russia to pilot drones and to conduct electronic warfare. [ 1 ]
- Zelensky asserted that Russia is “sharing all technologies” with North Korea in return for ammunition and missile supplies. [ 1 ]
- Zelensky said Russia license-produces Iranian kamikaze drones and has provided them to Iran. [ 1 ]
- NHK reported that Zelensky indicated manufacturing technology for Russia’s new drone, a new model of the Russia-developed “Geran”, is reaching North Korea. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Zelensky said on October 4 that Russia is providing or sharing drone technology with North Korea. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Ukraine is facing attacks from jet-engine drones that are faster than conventional drones and hard to intercept. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Zelensky described Russia-North Korea military cooperation as dangerous. [ 1 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether North Korea has actually obtained the jet-drone technology The documents attribute this only to Zelensky’s stated view at a press conference; none says the transfer has been independently confirmed.
- What specific technology North Korea would receive and what evidence exists for the transfer The documents give no technical detail beyond the general description of jet-engine drones and do not name any source of evidence.
- Zelensky’s remarks about Russian license production of Iranian drones and their supply to Iran Only Sankei Shimbun reports this element, so it is a single-source claim.
- The full wording of Zelensky’s answers about North Korea and details of the “Geran” drone The text of the Mainichi Shimbun and NHK News articles is cut off in the documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Sankei Shimbun publishes its report on Zelensky’s remarks, citing a press conference the previous day. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun publishes a second item under a headline saying Russia provided jet drone technology to North Korea. [ 3 ]
- Mainichi Shimbun reports on Ukraine’s difficulty intercepting jet-engine drones and Zelensky’s answer that Russia is of course supplying them to North Korea. [ 4 ]
- NHK News reports Zelensky’s view that Russia’s new drone manufacturing technology is reaching North Korea. [ 5 ]