The head of Australian intelligence has warned about the implications of the China-Iran-North Korea-Russia axis.

The emerging axis of countries supporting Russia, including China, Iran, and North Korea, is a "deeply concerning strategic development" that Western nations find difficult to keep up with.

This was stated by Andrew Shearer, the Director-General of the Australian National Intelligence Organization, as reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.

Shearer mentioned that the strategic impact of the emerging axis, primarily led by China and Russia, has been underestimated.

"China's extensive dual-use assistance to Putin, along with economic and diplomatic support, keeps Putin's army engaged on the battlefield in Ukraine, killing innocent Ukrainians just as effectively as if they were supplying artillery shells and missiles," Shearer said at the Raisina Downunder conference in Canberra.

He also listed the supply of Iranian drones and North Korean missiles and military components to Russia. South Korea and the US report that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia to participate in its war against Ukraine.

"This is an extremely troubling strategic development, and we are all trying to catch up and take effective measures, but I believe this is one of the strategic challenges of our time," Shearer stated.

Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership, which includes the US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand. Shearer serves as the chief advisor on intelligence to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

According to a survey by the Razumkov Center, the majority of Ukrainians view China as an adversarial nation. Ukrainians have an even worse opinion of Russia and its allies - Iran, Belarus, and North Korea.