North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un received five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as gifts from a regional governor on his visit to Russia, state news agency TASS said on Sunday.
The dictator’s first official visit abroad since the pandemic has heightened fears in the West that Moscow and Pyongyang will defy sanctions and strike an arms deal.
Military cooperation in focus
His visit to Russia, which began on Tuesday, has focused heavily on military matters, as evidenced by his own officer-dominated entourage, a symbolic exchange of rifles with President Vladimir Putin and visits to a fighter jet factory.
Moscow is believed to be interested in buying North Korean munitions to continue fighting in Ukraine, while Pyongyang is believed to want Russia’s help in developing its internationally condemned missile program.