A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could soon be equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for potential strikes against Ukraine, according to an official from Ukraine's military intelligence agency. The reported deployment, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as the war in Ukraine continues with no signs of easing.
Andrii Cherniak, an official with Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, said Russia plans to station a North Korean missile unit comprising around 90 personnel in the western Russian region of Voronezh. According to the Ukrainian assessment, the unit is expected to operate alongside Russia's 112th Missile Brigade, strengthening Moscow's missile capabilities near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian authorities believe the deployment could include up to six missile launchers and approximately 120 ballistic missiles, although the timeline for achieving full operational capability remains unclear.
The reported deployment follows growing defence ties between Russia and North Korea, which have expanded considerably since late 2023. Ukraine and several Western governments have previously accused Pyongyang of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery ammunition for use in the conflict. Russia has fired numerous North Korean-made ballistic missiles at Ukrainian targets over the past two years, according to Ukrainian officials, although Moscow and Pyongyang have consistently denied allegations that their military cooperation violates international sanctions.
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The report also said Pyongyang has already dispatched a fresh batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles, along with additional military personnel, to Russia. However, Ukrainian intelligence believes the final configuration of the deployment, including the total number of missiles and operational arrangements, is expected to be decided during high-level talks between Russian and North Korean officials scheduled for next month. The KN-23 and KN-24 are solid-fuel ballistic missiles that analysts say are designed to evade missile defence systems through manoeuvrable flight paths.
Ukraine has repeatedly warned that it faces a shortage of advanced air defence systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Unlike slower-moving drones or cruise missiles, ballistic missiles travel at extremely high speeds and follow steep trajectories, making them far more difficult to detect and destroy. Russia has increasingly relied on ballistic missile attacks to target Ukrainian military facilities, energy infrastructure and urban areas, placing additional pressure on Kyiv's already stretched air defence network.
The reported deployment of North Korean missile personnel underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Western governments have expressed concern over the growing exchange of military technology, weapons and personnel between the two countries, warning that such cooperation could undermine international sanctions and further destabilise regional security. While the claims made by Ukraine's military intelligence have not been independently verified, the reported deployment is likely to intensify international scrutiny of the expanding military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang as the conflict enters another critical phase.
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