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What Pyongyang's parade showed on 27 July 2023
Summary
A look back at a day when missile displays in North Korea sat alongside Russian strikes on Ukraine and new US aid.
What did the events around 27 July 2023 say about the security picture linking Ukraine, Russia and East Asia? Three reports from the days around that date point to a connected, if unevenly documented, story.
On 27 July 2023, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and a Chinese delegation met 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. Those missiles are prohibited by multiple United Nations resolutions that both China and Russia had endorsed.
The war in Ukraine continued in parallel. On 26 July 2023, Russia launched cruise missiles at Kyiv Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast and Kirovohrad Oblast. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk said that 36 targets were shot down, including three Kalibr and 33 Kh-101/Kh-55 cruise missiles.
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 reports show Ukraine's air defences handling a large cruise-missile salvo, Western partners continuing to supply equipment, and Russia's defence minister appearing beside Kim at a display of missiles that UN resolutions prohibit.
