Russia and North Korea are likely aiming to test the effectiveness of North Korean missiles. This is stated in a report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Recent reports have emerged about the deployment of a North Korean missile unit in western Russia.
Analysts recall that at the end of October 2024, North Korea sent infantry, engineers, and builders to the Kursk region, and the deployment of North Korean missile units is new— it seems that the DPRK is trying to gain combined arms knowledge through its participation in Russia’s war.
“North Korean missile forces will bring new combat lessons to North Korea that go beyond those North Korean soldiers have previously gained during combat operations in the Kursk region. It is unclear why North Korea decided to deploy its missile units and missiles in Russia now, but Russia and the DPRK may want to take advantage of the depleted ballistic missile interception means in Ukraine to test the effectiveness of North Korean missiles, including those likely to be launched by North Korean soldiers from North Korean launchers,” the report states.
ISW suggests that adding more North Korean missiles to the Russian arsenal will likely allow Russia to intensify its ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine in the near future, without using its stocks of S-400 and Zircon missiles—both of which travel along ballistic trajectories. According to analysts, in July, Russia increasingly used Zircon and modified S-400 missiles in its strikes on Ukraine.
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War believe that North Korean missiles, with their greater payload but lower accuracy, could cause a higher degree of destruction and casualties, especially among civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents.
According to Ukrainian authorities, last week, Russian military used a North Korean missile for the first time in a long time to strike Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, resulting in the deaths of six members of a large family there.
On August 5, Reuters reported, citing a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Andriy Chernyak, that a North Korean missile unit began deploying in western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes on Ukraine.
According to him, Pyongyang has already sent a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles and personnel to Russia, but the deployment configuration and total number of missiles will be finalized in high-level talks next month.
This has not been officially announced by the Russian Federation and the DPRK.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported, citing intelligence data, that Russia wants to receive an additional 30,000 military personnel from North Korea. According to him, the DPRK also plans to transfer new ballistic missile launchers to Russia.
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Copyright © 2021 RFE/RL, Inc. Republished with permission from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
On the cover: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes the test of what Pyongyang claims is a cruise missile on January 25, 2025. Photo: KCNA
