North Korea and Russia are moving to consolidate their military ties at a time of deepening global instability, with both sides using the Ukraine war as a symbol of their unwavering alliance.

Sunday’s unveiling of a memorial museum in Pyongyang for North Korean soldiers killed in the war is also a move by the two countries to be in lockstep over their anti-West stance, according to observers.

The partnership stemmed from their converging needs – Russia’s demand for manpower and materiel, and...