A South Korean government official revealed that North Korea has dispatched its fighter pilots to Vladivostok, a city in Russia’s Far East, in September, ahead of the first deployment of its ground troops on October 8.
The revelation, initially reported by South Korean media outlet TV Chosun, marks a significant escalation in North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Experts have voiced varying opinions on the implications of North Korean pilots operating in Russia. Some analysts suggest that the addition of these pilots could boost the frequency of Russian air force sorties or alleviate the strain on Russian personnel. “The widespread use of guided bombs and other long-range smart weapons has simplified many combat tasks, potentially reducing the qualification requirements for pilots,” stated a Russian defense expert. However, the same expert cautioned against attributing the deployment solely to a shortage of Russian pilots.
Others speculate that North Korea may be training on Russian combat aircraft, possibly signaling future arms transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang. North Korea has previously shown interest in acquiring modern Russian aircraft, such as the Sukhoi Su-30 and Su-34, to replace its aging fleet of MiG-19, MiG-23, and MiG-29 fighters. This development could be part of a broader effort to modernize its air force, which has faced significant challenges due to sanctions and a lack of external support for technical maintenance since the 1990s.
“North Korea last acquired new combat and training aircraft in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since then, its air force has struggled with maintenance and procurement due to economic hardship and international sanctions,” explained one analyst. The deployment of North Korean pilots to Russia may be linked to broader military cooperation efforts, potentially including the transfer of advanced aircraft and training on Russian systems.
If confirmed, this would be the first foreign deployment of North Korean combat pilots since the Vietnam War. North Korean pilots also participated in the Yom Kippur War of 1973, providing support in both Syria and Egypt.