Russia Bolsters Missile Force with North Korean Arms, Ukraine Fears Winter Attacks

Russia is reportedly developing a new missile unit in its western Voronezh region, potentially housing up to 120 North Korean ballistic missiles and six launchers. This move, revealed by Ukrainian military intelligence official Andriy Chernyak, signals an escalation in military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

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Moscow plans to deploy a North Korean missile unit of about 90 military personnel in the Voronezh region, within the 112th Missile Brigade.

According to Chernyak, North Korea has already supplied Russia with 40 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles, along with personnel. The unit is expected to be fully operational with 120 missiles and six launchers, though the exact role of the North Korean military personnel remains unclear. This development comes as Ukraine grapples with critical shortages of advanced air defense systems, leaving it increasingly exposed to Russian ballistic missile attacks.

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North Korea has already sent 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles to Russia, as well as personnel.

These North Korean missiles, which have a longer range and larger payload than Russia's Iskander missiles, are considered less accurate but have been linked to civilian casualties. Last week, Ukrainian authorities reported that a North Korean missile destroyed a home in the village of Radoshnoye, killing at least five family members. The increased use of ballistic missiles poses a significant challenge for Ukraine's air defenses, particularly as Russia may repeat large-scale attacks on the country's power grid this winter. Only U.S.-supplied Patriot systems are considered effective against these types of missiles.

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Ballistic air defense remains one of Kyiv's main vulnerabilities.