It is clear what Russia stands to gain from an influx of some 10,000 North Korean troops to support its war in Ukraine. Less clear is what’s in it for Kim Jong Un.

Pyongyang’s apparent imminent entry into the Moscow war is a turning point that further complicates the international web of interests entangled in a conflict quickly approaching its thousandth day. For many observers, the conflict risks escalating as rising tensions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region are linked.

Kim has spent months making increasing threats against his southern neighbors and working to strengthen his nuclear arsenal, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has waged his own saber-rattling with the West as his army lost dozens of troops to make gains on the battlefield. Now the two are intensifying their partnership, alarming the United States and its allies.

“North Korea may gain combat experience with drones and some real combat experience in a 21st century war,” Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, told NBC News. “But that is secondary to the strategic capabilities they could get from Russia – and I think the concern on the South Korean side is driven exactly by that.”

The Pentagon confirmed Monday that about 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia for training and are expected to join the fight against Ukraine within “the coming weeks.” Some of these units are already heading west toward Ukraine, and could join Kremlin forces fighting to push Ukrainian forces out of Russia’s Kursk region, according to the Pentagon.

It is not difficult to understand why Moscow seems pleased to have aroused international ire with this extraordinary invitation.

Ukrainian forces penetrated Russian defenses in August and captured a swath of Russian territory in the Kursk region — a move seen by many as a blow to Putin’s prestige. Russia has managed to retake some of that territory, but has failed to drive out the Ukrainian invaders and appeared reluctant to divert troops from the eastern front lines to do so.

It is expected that North Korean troops will help in this regard.

South Korea’s foreign and defense ministers will travel to Washington for meetings with their counterparts on Wednesday and Thursday, following a briefing from NATO leadership on Monday.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a statement after the briefing that the alliance could now confirm that North Korean troops are in Russia and have been deployed in the Kursk region.

Asked by NBC’s Keir Simmons last week in Kazan to comment directly on these developments, Putin stuck to his guns:

“It is not Russia’s actions that led to an escalation in Ukraine,” Putin said, blaming Washington and its NATO allies for arming and supporting Ukraine. As for the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, he did not deny the reports and instead referred to a mutual defense pact signed in Pyongyang in June.

But what exactly does Pyongyang get out of this?

Western and South Korean officials have previously suggested that North Korea was paid in a variety of ways, including resources, food and in some cases cash. But relations between Russia and North Korea have visibly deepened as the war in Ukraine continues.

A visit by Kim to Russia’s Vostochny spaceport last summer, which paved the way for the delivery of North Korean munitions, was met with speculation that Putin was exchanging valuable Russian knowledge in space technologies, which are very similar to that in the space travel is used. a successful nuclear program.

“I think the key is whether that actually happens,” Gabuev said.

South Korea’s spy agency said on Tuesday that North Korea is preparing for a repeat of a failed attempt to launch a spy satellite, with the help of Russia, according to the Yonhap News Agency. Their last attempt came on May 27, when the rocket carrying the satellite into orbit exploded upon launch.

But sending troops is a more important commitment for North Korea than equipment. And it largely stems from desperation on both sides of the relationship, analysts told NBC News.

Moscow desperately needs friends, especially those who want to contribute to the war effort. North Korea, in turn, needs a partner who will protect it from the United Nations Security Council as it pursues its nuclear ambitions.

“North Korea is trying to get as many benefits out of this relationship as possible,” said Edward Howell, a North Korea expert at the Chatham House think tank. “And the country now has Russia’s full, unwavering support in the UN Security Council, which is extremely beneficial for North Korea because it knows it can test missiles and provoke South Korea.”

“It can even conduct a nuclear test and get away with it because sanctions simply won’t be imposed because of the Russian veto,” he said.

There are other benefits to Kim’s regime.

Although North Korea has the fourth largest standing army in the world – about 1.2 million men – it has been a long time since that army has gone to war. The war’s vast front lines could become a kind of laboratory for modern warfare, giving Kim’s troops – and their generals – a chance to study.

This could explain why South Korea has taken the lead in sounding the alarm. Seoul has even gone so far as to say it might consider sending lethal military aid to help Ukraine. But Gabuev said South Korea is mainly concerned about strategic issues such as its nuclear program.

“If thousands of North Korean troops learn to survive on a battlefield full of drones,” Gabuev said, “that’s less of a problem than North Korea having quieter submarines that can use nuclear weapons. And I think this explains South Korea’s strong reaction.”