The Ukraine war is deepening Russia’s ties with North Korea as well as Iran

Moscow's growing need for armaments from Pyongyang is likely to lead to greater alignment of diplomatic and military interests

Russian arms procurement from Iran and North Korea heralds an increasing convergence of military and diplomatic interests between Moscow and two countries regarded as international pariahs.

Amid renewed accusations from Washington that Russia is attempting to procure large amounts of artillery ammunition from Pyongyang, on top of the missiles and kamikaze and other drones it has already bought from Iran, Moscow's arms procurement blitz has flagged up the mounting logistical problems in Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.