Russia is providing North Korea with technology to produce Shahed kamikaze drones and has dramatically improved the accuracy of Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles, potentially shifting the military balance on the Korean peninsula, Ukraine’s spymaster reported.

Technology transfer reshapes regional security

Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov, commander of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), revealed in an interview with The War Zone that Russia and North Korea have reached agreements to establish drone production capabilities on North Korean territory.

“[There are] agreements on the beginning of the creation of capabilities to produce UAVs of the Garpiya and Geran (the Russian designation for Iranian Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones, – Ed.) types on the territory of North Korea,” Budanov stated. “It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea.”

The Shahed family of drones has been the most prolific long-range aerial threat to Ukraine throughout the war. Russia currently produces approximately 2,000 units monthly with plans to increase production to 5,000 per month, according to The War Zone.

Dramatic missile improvements through Russian assistance

The technology transfer extends beyond drone production. Budanov revealed that North Korean KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, also known as Hwasong-11, have been transformed from unreliable weapons into precision strike systems through Russian assistance.

“Initially, with the beginning of the transfer to Russia, they were flying with a deviation of a few kilometers, but now they are exactly hitting the target,” Budanov explained. “This is the result of the common work of Russian and North Korean specialists.”

Nuclear and submarine technology included

Russia is assisting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program by solving critical problems with missile carriers and submarine-based launch systems. According to Budanov, North Korea previously struggled with these delivery systems, but Russian specialists are now providing solutions.

The intelligence chief pointed to the dramatic transformation of KN-23 missiles as proof – weapons that initially arrived are now completely different in their technical characteristics, with accuracy improved multiple times. The cooperation extends to upgrading aviation systems, including long-range air-to-air missiles, and submarine technologies for nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.

North Korean military presence in Russia, and labor migrants as potential military recruits

Budanov confirmed that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. North Korea has supplied extensive armaments to support Russia’s war effort, including 122mm D-74 howitzers, 107mm infantry multiple launch rocket systems, 240mm MLRS, and 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery guns.

Regarding the Koksan artillery, Budanov noted Russia received 120 units and expects more deliveries, describing them as unfortunately effective long-range weapons performing well in combat.

Following Shoigu’s visit, Russia will import North Korean workers to replace Central Asian migrants deemed security risks. These workers could potentially become “Russian warriors, but of North Korean nationality” through military contracts.

HUR is now determining the program’s scope.

3. 15 WordPress-style tags: North Korea, Shahed drones, Russia-Ukraine war, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine intelligence, KN-23 missiles, Military technology transfer, Kursk Oblast, Nuclear weapons technology, Submarine technology, Koksan artillery, North Korean troops, Geran drones, Defense Intelligence Directorate, Ballistic missiles

Russia is fielding rare 140 mm and 60 mm mortars from North Korea in its war on Ukraine, with new photos marking the first visual confirmation of their use in combat, according to NK News.

Militarnyi, citing NK News, reports that North Korea has delivered towed 140 mm mortars to Russian forces, following earlier transfers of 60 mm mortars. The artillery pieces, previously limited to D​PRK parades and museum displays, are now appearing alongside Russian troops operating in the Kursk Oblast. 

Photos shared by Russian military bloggers show several 60 mm mortars reportedly provided by North Korea to Russian paratroopers of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division. These troops, reportedly operating with D​PRK personnel in the Kursk area, were seen in combat positions with the mortars.

Expert assessment and origin of the weapons

Joost Oliemans, an expert in North Korean military systems, stated the photographs are the first evidence that these weapons are now actively used in the Ukraine war. He noted that the 60 mm mortar may have been North Korea’s attempt to imitate NATO-standard weaponry. Russian propagandists claim the mortar’s effectiveness remains unclear, according to Miltitarnyi.

Oliemans also explained that the larger 140 mm mortar was developed by North Korea during the 1980s and 1990s. The first known appearance of this system was during a military parade in 1992 marking the 60th anniversary of the D​PRK armed forces. He added that the model likely dates back to 1981.

Rising dependence on unusual calibers

Militarnyi notes that despite the growth in D​PRK arms supplies, Russia remains challenged by logistical issues arising from its reliance on non-standard calibers. The introduction of such unique artillery pieces complicates integration with existing systems.

In a recent development, Russia reportedly equipped one of its newly formed artillery brigades with Koksan self-propelled artillery systems, also received from North Korea.

A new report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), published on 29 May, confirms that North Korea (D​PRK) supplied at least 100 ballistic missiles, 9 million artillery shells and rockets, and over 11,000 troops to Russia, violating multiple UN Security Council’s resolutions and directly supporting Moscow’s war on Ukraine. 

The report titled “Unlawful Military Cooperation including Arms Transfers between North Korea and Russia” outlines extensive cooperation between North Korea (D​PRK) and Russia that breaches numerous UNSC resolutions. 

“Arms transfers between the D​PRK and Russia each constitute violations of the arms embargo [established under four UNSC resolutions]. Furthermore, Russia’s training of North Korean soldiers involving arms or related matériel is a violation” of four more resolutions, the report reads.

MSMT urges the international community to strengthen sanctions enforcement, share intelligence, and designate individuals and entities involved in D​PRK-related violations. The report includes calls for renewed efforts to monitor, expose, and prevent North Korea-related sanctions evasion, improved maritime inspections, financial monitoring, and collaborative international efforts to curb the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance.

Illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

MSMT participating states report that over 20,000 containers of munitions have been sent from D​PRK to Russia since 2023, including at least 9 million rounds of artillery and rocket ammunition. Among these were 122 mm and 152 mm shells and 122 mm rockets. 

“Both the D​PRK and Russia are violating the UN arms embargo on the D​PRK through these transfers,” the report reads.

The shipments were delivered by sea and rail, then transported to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia, according to the report.

North Korean artillery supplies prevent Russian defeat in Ukraine, military experts warn

Missile strikes linked to North Korean weapons

According to MSMT data and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate, North Korea has also transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, used in strikes on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. UN experts confirmed that a Hwasong-11 ballistic missile fired at Kharkiv in January 2024 originated in North Korea. Conflict Armament Research (CAR) also documented five missiles with North Korean origin in Ukrainian territory in 2024.

North Korea provides 50% of Russia’s ammunition, says Ukraine’s spymaster

Troop deployment and training

The MSMT states that over 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia in late 2024. These forces were trained by Russian units in artillery, UAV operations, and trench combat. North Korean troops participated in combat in Kursk Oblast, including in Plekhovo and Malaya Loknya. Losses were reported in early 2025 near Makhnovka. D​PRK confirmed the deployment in April 2025, citing the D​PRK-Russia Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

North Korean generals tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine identified at Moscow parade

Russian transfers of weapons and support to D​PRK

In exchange for military support, Russia transferred air defense systems, including at least one Pantsir-class vehicle, and advanced electronic warfare systems to D​PRK. MSMT states that Russia also provided missile telemetry data to help North Korea improve its missile accuracy.

Sanctions violations extend beyond arms transfers

MSMT reports confirm that North Korea received over a million barrels of refined petroleum products from Russia in 2024, breaching the annual UN-imposed cap. Additionally, Russia facilitated the employment of D​PRK workers in sectors including construction, forestry, and textiles. At least 481 North Koreans were reportedly sent to Russia between December 2024 and February 2025.

North Korean defector reveals privileges for soldiers who fought against Ukraine

MSMT identified numerous vessels and aircraft used in these operations, including Russia-flagged ships like ANGARA and MARIA and military aircraft like the IL-76 and AN-124. These were used to carry arms and missile-related cargo in violation of sanctions. Many ships operated without tracking systems or insurance, indicating deceptive practices.

Russia helped D​PRK circumvent financial restrictions by opening ruble accounts for North Korea at MRB Bank in South Ossetia. These accounts were used by sanctioned North Korean banks to conduct international transactions, according to the report.