North Korea Deploys Missile Unit to Western Russia
North Korea has begun deploying a missile unit with approximately 90 personnel to western Russia to operate ballistic missiles against Ukraine, expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The move comes as Ukraine faces cri
Ukraine's military intelligence revealed on August 6 that a North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers to support Russian strikes against Ukraine. Russia has been exploiting Ukraine's critical shortage of air defense systems by increasingly deploying ballistic missiles that are particularly difficult to intercept. Since late 2022, Russia has fired dozens of North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine, but the deployment of the North Korean missile unit represents an expansion of existing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea under Kim Jong Un's direction.
Andre Chernyak, an official at Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, stated that Russia plans to deploy a missile unit comprising approximately 90 North Korean personnel in Voronezh region in western Russia, operating under Russia's 112th Missile Brigade. This development follows a major Russian assault on Kyiv region on Wednesday, August 5, which killed at least 17 people and destroyed warehouses and logistics centers of a major Ukrainian retailer. Russia fired 115 drones and 24 missiles in the attack; while most drones were shot down, Ukraine's depleted air defense systems could not intercept the missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the possibility of obtaining additional air defense interceptors. "Mark understands the threat well, and we have coordinated our efforts regarding countries that have the necessary missiles and capability to assist," Zelenskiy posted in English on X, emphasizing the need to "remove all bureaucratic steps and make the necessary political decisions." Rutte posted on X following the discussion that he is consulting with allies on how to provide additional air defense systems.
