Beijing and Pyongyang are using the war in Ukraine to seize Russian territories

The People’s Republic of China and North Korea are gradually increasing their influence in the eastern regions of Russia, which may indicate that Moscow is actually losing control over part of its own territory. The Kremlin, against the backdrop of the war against Ukraine, is increasingly “paying off debts” to allies with access to their resources and lands.

This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

China’s economic presence in the region is growing rapidly. By 2025, Beijing’s investment in the Far East could reach 1 trillion rubles. However, most of the agreements are purely trade in nature – practically no funds are allocated to infrastructure development.

As noted by Viktor Kalashnikov, a senator from the Khabarovsk Territory, in 2024, trade between the Russian Federation and the PRC increased by 5.5 million tons, and in the first six months of 2025 alone, by another 36%. This indicates China’s deep economic penetration into the Russian economy in the east.

In addition to finances, Beijing is actively developing its demographic presence. Up to two million Chinese citizens already live from Vladivostok to the Urals, and their number is constantly growing. This is facilitated by the introduction of a visa-free regime and a number of benefits. In some areas, entire Chinese settlements are being formed, where Russians practically do not participate in economic activity.

At the same time, the Kremlin is opening up access to its territories to North Korea. Over the past year, more than 15,000 North Koreans have officially arrived in the Far East to work. According to unofficial data, there could be up to 50,000. Russian companies have already invited 153,000 work contracts for North Korean citizens.

As a result, we can see two authoritarian nuclear powers gradually taking root in Russia: China through economic leverage, and North Korea through labor. Both countries are using Russia’s weakening to achieve their own goals.

In the future, the growth of Chinese activity and the increase in the number of North Korean labor quotas may lead to a conflict of interests between Beijing and Pyongyang. Against this background, the Kremlin risks losing control over almost 40% of its territory – about 7 million square kilometers, where about 7.9 million people live. The region may turn into an arena for foreign strategic games, where Russia will be only a backdrop.

Recall thatengineers from China have repeatedly visited Russia to help with technical robots and testing drones at the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant “Kupol” . In addition, Chinese companies systematically supply the Russians with both drones and key components for strike drones. Such cooperation between Beijing and Moscow indicates that the Russians may soon expand drone production with new strike drones for the war against Ukraine.

Seoul has reportedly received new, disturbing intelligence that Russia has allegedly transferred a nuclear reactor for nuclear submarines to the DPRK. If confirmed, this would mean a sharp increase in Pyongyang’s military capabilities and a dangerous precedent for violating international agreements.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.