In an interview with The War Zone, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, spoke about the deep military-technological cooperation between Russia and North Korea. According to him, Moscow not only receives artillery and soldiers from the DPRK, but also transfers modern technologies to Pyongyang for the production of kamikaze drones and modernization of nuclear weapons.
Budanov’s main statements:
- North Korea will receive the production of Shahed-136 drones (in Russia – “Geranium-2”). This means creating facilities for the mass production of these UAVs in the DPRK. According to Budanov, this will significantly change the military balance on the Korean Peninsula.
- Russia has improved the accuracy of North Korea’s KN-23 (Hwasong-11) ballistic missiles. Previously, the missiles deviated by several kilometers or exploded in midair, but now, according to Ukrainian intelligence, they “hit the target”. This is the result of the joint work of Russian and North Korean experts.
- Pyongyang will receive technologies for nuclear submarine missile systems. Russia is helping to modernize sea-based nuclear weapons carriers, including submarines.
- At least 11,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia. They are stationed in the Kursk region. It has also been agreed to attract North Korean labor migrants who can sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry.
- North Korea has already handed over at least 120 units of long-range artillery of 170 mm caliber to Russia. According to Budanov, these guns have shown high accuracy and effectiveness on the battlefield.
- Russia is launching up to 5,000 Shaheds per month, improving their range, warhead, and navigation. Budanov emphasizes that in one night alone, Russia used 479 drones and their imitators in Ukraine.
Russia’s transfer of technology to North Korea poses a threat not only to Ukraine’s security but also to the entire East Asian region. South Korea has already stated that such drones could massively attack its territory, overloading its air defense system and opening the way for other attacks.