KYIV: North Korea could soon deploy a missile unit to western Russia as military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow continues to expand, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. Ukrainian officials say the proposed deployment may include personnel, ballistic missiles, and launchers that could support Russian operations against Ukraine, although Reuters could not independently verify the claims.

The reported move comes as Russia increasingly relies on ballistic missiles during its campaign in Ukraine, placing additional pressure on Kyiv’s limited high-end air defence systems.

Ukraine Details Alleged Missile Deployment

More than 100 words into the latest intelligence assessment, North Korea was said to be preparing to station a missile unit in Russia’s Voronezh region.

Andrii Cherniak of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said the deployment could involve around 90 North Korean personnel assigned to Russia’s 112th Missile Brigade.

According to Cherniak, Russia expects to receive 120 North Korean ballistic missiles and six launchers. He added that North Korea has already delivered a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles, while senior officials from both countries are expected to finalise deployment details during high-level talks next month.

Ukraine has not specified what operational role North Korean personnel would play if the deployment proceeds.

Ballistic Missile Threat Raises Concerns

Ukraine says Russia has used dozens of North Korean ballistic missiles since late 2023.

Military analysts warn that any increase in ballistic missile attacks would create additional challenges for Ukraine because such weapons are difficult to intercept and require advanced air defence systems, including US-made Patriot batteries.

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said Ukraine’s ballistic missile defence remains one of its greatest vulnerabilities, particularly ahead of winter when Russia has previously targeted energy infrastructure with large-scale missile attacks.

Ready Player Two Moves Forward as Screenwriter Confirms Sequel Is Still in Development

Growing Military Cooperation

North Korea and Russia have significantly expanded defence ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The two countries signed a mutual defence pact in 2024, while Ukrainian officials say Pyongyang has supplied millions of artillery shells and deployed approximately 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region following Ukraine’s cross-border incursion in 2024.

Cherniak also said around 9,500 North Korean troops remain in the Kursk region but are not currently taking part in direct combat operations against Ukraine.

Claims Await Independent Verification

Reuters said it could not independently verify the Ukrainian intelligence assessment.

Neither Russia’s Defence Ministry nor North Korea’s mission to the United Nations immediately responded to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously claimed that Russia is preparing to receive an additional 30,000 North Korean troops, although those assertions have not been independently confirmed.