Putin is preparing a 'North Korean internet' for Russians: how Pyongyang is teaching the Kremlin isolation and war

Total digital isolation: a scenario from North Korea

According to data obtained from the Center for Countering Disinformation, Vladimir Putin is preparing a massive transformation of the Russian internet space. Over the next two years, starting in 2026, the information access system in the Russian Federation will be completely rebuilt on the model of the North Korean system. This means not just an increase in censorship, but the creation of a fully isolated intranet where access to the global network will be permitted only to a select few. As Andrey Kovalenko notes, Russians are not yet aware of the scale of the impending changes, although the technical infrastructure for implementing the 'sovereign internet' is already being actively developed.

Exchange of experience: war as a testing ground

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang go beyond simple military cooperation. North Korea, observing the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine, is gaining invaluable experience in conducting modern warfare. In August 2026, it was reported that more than 100 ballistic missiles and special units were transferred to Russia. This allows Kim Jong Un to test his weapons in real combat conditions, which is critical for Pyongyang in the event of an escalation of the conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

Contradictory data

There are discrepancies in estimates of the scale of the North Korean military presence in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview on August 9, 2026, stated that Russia plans to host between 30,000 and 50,000 soldiers from North Korea on its territory. However, there is no official confirmation of these figures from Russian authorities, and Western intelligence data provides more vague estimates. Nevertheless, the fact of large-scale military cooperation and technology exchange is not in doubt among experts.

Regional consequences and security threats

The strengthening of ties between Moscow and Pyongyang is causing serious concern among countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan and South Korea are forced to review their national security strategies, taking into account the growing threat from the authoritarian regime of Kim Jong Un. As Kovalenko noted, Pyongyang sees Putin as an ideological ally, and their joint actions could lead to the destabilization of the entire regional security architecture.

Conclusion: a lesson for Russia and the world

The situation developing in 2026 demonstrates how two isolated regimes can use each other to achieve their goals. For Russia, this means even greater digital and information isolation, while for North Korea, it is an opportunity to test its weapons and tactics in real combat conditions. The international community must be prepared for new challenges that may arise as a result of this strategic partnership.