Reuters: North Korean missile unit en route to Russia for Ukraine strikes
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Reuters reported on Wednesday that a North Korean missile unit consisting of around 90 soldiers is en route to Russia, according to a Ukrainian military intelligence official, and is expected to be deployed to the Voronezh region to carry out strikes on Ukraine. The report came hours after Ukraine’s air defenses failed to intercept any ballistic or anti-ship missiles during an overnight attack that killed 17 and wounded 44, highlighting Kyiv’s vulnerability.
Unit Composition and Arsenal
Around 90 North Korean soldiers are currently en route to Russia, likely to be stationed in the Voronezh region, according to Andriy Chernyak, a representative of Ukraine's military intelligence. The unit may be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. Defense expert Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute noted the missiles could pose a significant threat, especially given Ukraine's depleted air defenses this winter.
Air Defense Strain
In an overnight attack on August 5, Ukraine's air defense failed to intercept any of the ballistic and anti-ship missiles fired at the country, resulting in 17 deaths and 44 injuries, President Zelensky confirmed. The attack underscored Kyiv's critical shortage of surface-to-air missiles, which Zelensky has urged Western partners to replenish. The potential addition of North Korean ballistic missiles could further overwhelm Ukraine's exhausted air defenses, as they struggle to protect both civilian centers and energy infrastructure from systematic Russian strikes.
Broadening Military Ties
North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells since the 2022 invasion, and the two countries signed a mutual defense pact in 2024. Around 9,500 North Korean soldiers are already deployed in Russia's Kursk region bordering Ukraine. Last week, a North Korean missile strike on the village of Radushne in Dnipropetrovsk region killed six people. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, during a recent visit to Russia, reiterated Pyongyang's full support for Moscow.
What's Next
The North Korean missile unit is expected to reach Russia in the coming days, but it remains unclear how quickly it could begin operations against Ukraine. Analysts warn that the additional missile threat may further strain Ukraine's air defenses just as winter approaches, raising the risk of more devastating attacks on critical infrastructure.
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Reuters: North Korean missile unit en route to Russia for Ukraine strikes
