Ukraine Reports Deployment of North Korean Missile Unit in Russia

A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia to support strikes against Ukraine, according to Andrii Cherniak of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence. The unit consists of approximately 90 personnel and is expected to be based in the Voronezh region as part of Russia's 112th Missile Brigade. According to Cherniak, the deployment could include six launchers and up to 120 ballistic missiles. Pyongyang has already sent a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles and personnel to Russia, with final details to be settled during top level talks next month.

Ukrainian military sources state that KN-23 and KN-24 missiles have a larger payload and greater range than the Russian Iskander missiles, although they are significantly less accurate. This lack of precision has been linked to strikes with high civilian casualties, including a recent attack on a residential home in the village of Radushne that killed at least five members of one family. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted that ballistic missile defense is a major vulnerability for Ukraine, making this deployment a significant threat, especially regarding the protection of the power grid during winter.

Russia has fired scores of North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine since late 2023. Ukrainian officials also report that approximately 9,500 North Korean troops are currently in the Kursk region, though they are not directly involved in military operations. The Russian Defence Ministry and North Korea's embassy at the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters noted that the assertions could not be independently verified due to the sensitivity of the intelligence.