A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia in an expansion of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, according to an official at Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, reported by Reuters. Andrii Cherniak of Ukrainian intelligence stated that Russia plans to base the missile unit—consisting of approximately 90 North Korean personnel—within the 112th Missile Brigade in the western Russian region of Voronezh.
North Korean Missile Unit Deploys to Russia
The deployment is expected to involve 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine, according to The Independent. Pyongyang has already dispatched a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles along with personnel, while the final configuration and total number of missiles will be settled during top-level talks. Russia has previously fired scores of North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine since late 2023. Between the end of 2023 and August 2025, North Korea supplied 150 of the missiles.
Vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s Air Defenses
The arrival of additional North Korean missile resources presents a severe challenge for Kyiv, as ballistic missile defense remains one of Ukraine’s greatest vulnerabilities. High-end air defense interceptors are in short supply, and Russia has sought to exploit this shortage by relying heavily on ballistic weapons that travel at high speeds and are difficult to shoot down.
Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, noted that any increase in ballistic missile quantities poses a greater challenge for Ukraine’s defenses. A primary concern for Kyiv centers on the state of its air defense systems ahead of winter, when Russian forces could renew heavy strikes targeting power infrastructure.
Recent Destructive Ballistic Missile Strikes
The deployment coincides with recent deadly attacks. Ukrainian authorities reported that a North Korean ballistic missile flattened a residential home in the village of Radushne in the Dnipro region, killing members of the Voronov family. Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration of Kryvyi Rih, stated that the modest house was struck by an Iskander ballistic missile launched from Voronezh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the attack marked the first time in a long while that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in that area.
President Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need for international assistance, stating that advanced interceptors such as US-made Patriot defense systems are critical for saving civilian lives from high-speed incoming projectiles.
Broader Military Ties Between Moscow and Pyongyang
The deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea has evolved significantly since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, culminating in a mutual defense pact signed in 2024. Beyond ballistic missile deliveries, Pyongyang has provided millions of artillery shells to support Russia’s military campaign.
Additionally, North Korea previously deployed 14,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region to help repel a Ukrainian ground incursion. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that roughly 9,500 North Korean troops remain in the Kursk region, though they were not directly engaged in combat operations against Ukraine. Furthermore, Ukrainian leadership reported that the Kremlin has sought to bring in an additional 30,000 North Korean troops, with preparations in the Voronezh region underway.
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