North Korean Missile Unit Deployed in Russia to Strike Ukraine

The deployment of a North Korean missile unit has begun in western Russia, reportedly equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launch pads, intended for strikes against Ukraine. This information was shared with Reuters by Andrey Chernyak, a representative of Ukraine's military intelligence.

According to Chernyak, since late 2023, Russia has utilized dozens of North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine; however, the deployment of a North Korean missile unit marks a new phase in military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The unit, comprised of approximately 90 North Korean soldiers, is expected to be stationed in Voronezh, Russia, as part of the 112th missile brigade.

Chernyak noted that North Korea has already supplied Russia with an additional 40 missiles of the KN-23 and KN-24 types, along with the necessary servicing personnel. The final composition of the deployment and the total number of missiles, he stated, will be clarified during high-level negotiations scheduled for next month.

Ukrainian intelligence officials have reported that Russia plans to deploy 120 North Korean ballistic missiles and six launch pads. The role of the North Korean military in Russian missile operations remains unclear at this time. Reuters reminds that last week, for the first time since August 2025, Russia used two missiles of North Korean origin against Ukraine.

Rob Lynn, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, pointed out that the additional missiles provided by North Korea pose a serious challenge for Ukraine, as anti-missile defense is one of the country’s most vulnerable areas. He assessed that the state of Ukraine's air defense could be especially concerning in winter, when Russia may resume large-scale attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

According to Ukrainian authorities, last week, a North Korean missile struck a residential house in the village of Radushne in the Dnipropetrovsk region, resulting in the deaths of at least five family members. Chernyak indicated that this was the first recorded instance of North Korean ballistic missile usage since August 2025, utilizing the newly supplied 40 missiles.

He also reported that approximately 9,500 North Korean military personnel are currently in the Kursk region of Russia, but they have not yet been directly involved in military operations against Ukraine. Earlier reports indicated that Russia is continuing the construction of an automobile bridge connecting it with North Korea. Officially, the project is presented as an initiative for trade and tourism development; however, experts do not rule out that it could also be used for transporting military cargo.

Additionally, a veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian war, reserve major Alexey Getman, stated that Russia is seeking to recruit an additional 30,000 soldiers from North Korea and has already begun preparations for their reception.