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What the Pyongyang meeting signalled on 27 July 2023
Summary
A Pyongyang ceremony, a US aid package and overnight missile strikes marked a day of security news linked to Russia's war.
What did it mean when Russia's defence minister stood beside Kim Jong-un on 27 July 2023? Sergei Shoigu, together with a Chinese delegation, joined the North Korean Supreme Leader in Pyongyang to mark the 70th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in the Korean War. Kim and Shoigu also attended an exhibition of North Korean ballistic missiles, weapons prohibited by multiple United Nations resolutions that China and Russia had endorsed.
The war continued in parallel
The scene unfolded as Russia's strikes on Ukraine went on. On 26 July 2023, Russia launched cruise missiles at Kyiv Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast and Kirovohrad Oblast. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk said 36 targets were shot down, including three Kalibr and 33 Kh-101/Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Western support
On 25 July 2023, the United States announced a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine. It included anti-tank and air defence missiles, 32 Stryker armoured fighting vehicles, Hydra 70 rockets and Black Hornet Nano surveillance drones.
Why it matters
Taken together, the three developments show the security picture of that moment: Ukraine absorbing missile attacks while receiving Western equipment, and Russia appearing publicly with North Korea at a display of missiles that UN resolutions barred.
