North Korean missile unit deploys in Russia, Kyiv says
A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine, an official at Ukraine's military intelligence agency said.
Ukraine's military intelligence agency reported that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying in western Russia, potentially equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers aimed at Ukraine. This development comes on the heels of Russian strikes on homes in Balakliia, Eastern Ukraine, which resulted in three deaths.
Ukraine faces a significant challenge due to its limited air defense capabilities, making it vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks. North Korea has been a strategic ally of Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the two nations signed a mutual defense pact in 2024. North Korea has provided Russia with numerous artillery shells and troops, as well as 150 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles since late 2023.
The latest deployment of North Korean forces in Russia is seen as an expansion of military cooperation between the two countries. Ukraine's air defense remains a major concern, especially during winter when Russia may target the power grid with heavy attacks, as it has in the past.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
