Russia has quietly reopened **direct flights from Moscow to Pyongyang**, signaling a strengthening of ties with North Korea amid growing concerns that President Putin is preparing for a new military offensive—possibly against Moldova or another post‑Soviet state UNILAD reported. The move comes more than a year after Russia and North Korea ratified a **Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty**, and analysts see it as preparation for deeper military coordination according to Wikipedia background.
The treaty, signed in **June 2024** and ratified by both parliaments by November 2024, includes mutual defense clauses stating that the two nations will coordinate if either faces an armed threat as documented in treaty records. Since then, reports indicate **North Korean troops—up to 10,000—have been deployed and trained on Russian soil**, potentially ready for future deployment to Ukraine or beyond according to intelligence estimations.
“Russia opens direct flights to North Korea as military alliance deepens amid invasion fears.”
At the same time, Russia has launched mega naval drills dubbed **“July Storm”**, deploying over 150 vessels, 15,000 personnel, and more than 120 aircraft across the **Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, and Caspian seas**—a show of force that underlines Moscow’s readiness for unconventional or multi‑theater operations Reuters coverage details. These drills run July 23 through July 27, testing anti-submarine, drone, and missile response tactics.
Western intelligence officials warn that **Putin is preparing for another invasion**, possibly targeting a NATO neighbor or a border state like Moldova, Ukraine, or even a Baltic country—especially if NATO steps into Ukraine with troops. Analysts say NATO’s internal hesitations may embolden Moscow to act per expert commentary in The Telegraph.
A separate review by CSIS underscores a worrying point: **Russia’s military is now deeply integrated into its economy**, with defense spending expected to reach **6.3% of GDP in 2025**. This suggests that military expansion will continue even after the Ukraine conflict ends, potentially through 2027 and beyond as Business Insider reported.
“NATO may inadvertently be giving Putin the green light—while Europe remains distracted.”
The new alliance with North Korea and expanded military drills complement existing pacts: Russia’s strengthened security guarantees with Belarus, including the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons, and its “no limits” partnership with China—all part of a renewed strategy to counter Western influence as outlined in the Russia‑Belarus Union State documentation and analysis of Russia‑China military ties.
Australia’s top military official in London even warned that the combined cooperation between Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran poses a global security challenge, urging increased coordination to counter what he called Moscow’s ambitions in Europe and Africa as reported by The Australian.
At its core, reopening flights to Pyongyang serves more than tourism—it’s a logistical lifeline. It enables troop rotations, arms shipments, and high-level military planning under the guise of diplomacy. That move, combined with growing cooperation in arms and intelligence, signals Russia is stacking the deck for expansion as Reuters detailed Russia’s strategic treaties.
Meanwhile, Baltic states like Lithuania are responding with urgency—building “dragon tooth” barricades, deploying German troops by 2027, and developing hidden militias in anticipation of possible Russian aggression from Belarus or Kaliningrad coverage highlights regional defense moves.
While peace talks between Russia and Ukraine continue in Istanbul, experts point out the optics: Russia sends delegates to negotiate even as it forges new military ties and prepares contingencies in case diplomacy fails. Moscow’s narrative remains consistent—outsiders provoke, and Russia must be ready as reported in ongoing peace‑talk coverage.
This surprising alliance and the buildup around it have analysts and policymakers asking one urgent question: is Russia setting the stage for a second front? With troop logistics, naval drills, nuclear posturing, and shifting partnerships unfolding all at once, the Kremlin appears ready—and the world is watching.
