In October 2024, North Korea sent troops to Russia to aid its war efforts against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the conflict has attracted substantial international attention, with the US emerging as one of Ukraine’s primary supporters. The involvement of North Korean troops could signal a major shift in Moscow’s strategy in the war.

Biden’s choice not to run for re-election has cast uncertainty over US involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Due to the uncertainty, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to meet with both candidates for the US presidency: Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 

As Ukraine struggles to keep the world’s attention on its struggle against Russian forces, one country has seemingly continued to pay attention: North Korea.

Evgeniy Maloletka was a photographer on the ground during Russia’s siege of the city of Mariupol on Ukraine’s southeastern border, during which he captured images of the siege alongside a crew of filmmakers documenting the events for a film titled “20 Days in Mariupol.”