North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un allegedly used stolen cryptocurrency funds, worth over $1.5 billion, to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a new report. The move reportedly aligns with a long-standing pattern of utilizing illicit financial activity for military spending and power consolidation. While Putin and Kim reportedly discussed potential military support during their recent joint trip to the country in 2023, the exact details of the agreement remain unclear. A key piece of the reported operation is believed to be the Lazarus Group, a North Korean cyber-crime squad that has made off with billions in cryptocurrency over the last decade. This illicit funding scheme helps fund Kim’s regime while sanctions imposed on North Korea continue to hold impact. The report sheds light on the intricate connection between North Korea’s economic activity and its aggressive military actions abroad, highlighting a disturbing trend of leveraging digital theft for political purposes.