War Balance

Iran vs North Korea: support for Ukraine and trade with Russia since 2022

Iran: Toward Russia by 0.44% of a year's GDP since 2022 (likely 0.21% to 0.69% toward Russia; very likely · >99%). North Korea: Toward Russia by 19.9% of a year's GDP since 2022 (likely 9.4% to 36.8% toward Russia).

Iran → North Korea →

These numbers measure money: aid to Ukraine and the change in what Russia keeps from trade, against a world without the war. Weapons count at their money value: aid at market value when delivered, weapons and troops sent to Russia at the seller's gain where Russia paid and in full where it did not. Votes, diplomacy and intent are not in them.

Side by side

#CountryNetSupport for UkraineRussia kept from trade, vs no warPaid Russia since 2022
Iran−0.44%−€1.9bn · −€20 per personlikely 0.21% to 0.69% toward Russiavery likely · >99%−€1m<0.01% of GDPessentially zero€1.9bn more0.44% of GDP morevery likely · >99%€8.2bn1.9% of GDP
North Korea−19.9%−€5.9bn · −€222 per personlikely 9.4% to 36.8% toward Russia–€5.9bn more19.9% of GDP more€6.2bn20.9% of GDP

Each row: the best estimate, then its range and the chance of its direction, as in the country's panel.

What makes up each number

MeasureIranNorth Korea
Purchases from Ukraine vs no war−€13m<0.01% of GDP–
Share of IMF and World Bank lending to Ukraine+€12m<0.01% of GDP–
Weapons and troops sent to Russia−€1.8bn−0.44% of GDP−€5.9bn−19.8% of GDP
Russia's gain on fuel and goods it sold+€85m+0.02% of GDP−€18m−0.06% of GDP
Weapons bought from Russia−€65m−0.02% of GDP–
Extra price Russia paid because of sanctions−€43m−0.01% of GDP–
Rosatom projects and Russian state loans+€40m<0.01% of GDP–
Sellers' gain on sales to Russia−€12m<0.01% of GDP–
Company taxes paid in Russia−€11m<0.01% of GDP–
Company profits in Russia−€7m<0.01% of GDP–
Russian oil bought via other countries−€5m<0.01% of GDP−€3m<0.01% of GDP
Services sold to Russia−€2m<0.01% of GDP–
Services bought from Russia+€2m<0.01% of GDP+€2m<0.01% of GDP
Russia's gain from war-time fuel prices−€1m<0.01% of GDP−€2m<0.01% of GDP

+ toward Ukraine, − toward Russia

Year by year

YearCountrySupport for UkraineTrade: toward Ukraine (+) / toward Russia (−)Net
2022Iran−€1m−€164m−€164m
North Korea€0+€3m+€3m
2023Iran+€2m−€798m−€796m
North Korea€0−€821m−€821m
2024Iran+€1m−€655m−€654m
North Korea€0−€2.3bn−€2.3bn
2025Iran−€3m−€278m−€281m
North Korea€0−€2.3bn−€2.3bn
2026*Iran−€1m+€38m+€37m
North Korea€0−€478m−€478m

Each year's amount: + toward Ukraine, − toward Russia. *2026: to August.

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Cite as: War Balance, figures to August 2026, https://warbalance.org/compare/iran-vs-north-korea/