Ukraine says North Korea has begun deploying a missile unit to western Russia that could be used against Ukraine. Multiple outlets, citing a Ukrainian military intelligence official, report that the unit is expected to operate up to about 120 ballistic missiles and use several launchers—described in some reports as six—for strikes. Kyiv also says the deployment involves North Korean personnel, with one report putting the number at around 90.
The reports frame the move as an expansion of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Russia has used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine in prior attacks, according to the coverage, but the deployment of missile forces is presented as a further step beyond supplying weapons.
One outlet links the escalation to a broader Russia–North Korea cooperation context that includes a treaty signed in June 2024. The coverage is based on Ukraine’s intelligence assessments; the sources do not provide independent verification from Russia, North Korea, or third parties in the supplied text.
