Russia increasingly relies on Iran and North Korea for support in its war against Ukraine, according to ISW.

Railway traffic at the border between North Korea and Russia

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War indicate that Russia is increasingly relying on Iran and North Korea for support in its war against Ukraine.

This information is reported by ISW.

"It seems that Russia is becoming more dependent on Iran and North Korea in supporting its war in Ukraine," the report states.

The report highlights that Iran has significantly enabled Russia to carry out nighttime series of extensive drone strikes, as it has provided Russia with Iranian-made "Shahed" drones and assisted Russia in establishing its own "Shahed" production facility in the Republic of Tatarstan.

This was stated by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, on February 23 during the "Ukraine. Year 2025" forum.

According to him, half of the Russian ammunition comes from North Korea, and the DPRK has begun large-scale deliveries of 170-mm self-propelled artillery systems and 240-mm multiple launch rocket systems.

Budanov added that North Korea plans to provide Russia with 148 ballistic missiles, presumably in 2025.

Key findings from ISW on February 23:

• U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Whitcoff referred to the "Istanbul Protocol Agreement" from early 2022 as a "benchmark" for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on February 23. An agreement based on these protocols would serve as a document of surrender.
• Ukraine is unlikely to accept any peace agreement based on the "Istanbul Agreements," as such terms effectively mean Ukraine's complete capitulation to Russia's long-term objectives in the war (against Ukraine – ed.).
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demonstrate his commitment to preserving Ukrainian democracy and achieving a fair resolution to the war.
• Ukrainian officials continue to emphasize the importance of the domestic defense industry and the striking potential of local production.
• On February 23, Kremlin leader Putin appointed Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, as the special representative of the president for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.
• Russian troops carried out a record number of drone strikes on Ukraine during the night of February 22-23, just before the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
• It appears that Russia is increasingly relying on Iran and North Korea in support of its war in Ukraine.
• Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war, which is a clear violation of international law.
• Ukrainian troops have made advances near Toretsk, while Russian forces have progressed near Siversk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• Russian authorities continue to make efforts to increase the production capacity of the defense industry.