The country has begun construction of its biggest military plant, covering more than 5 hectares. According to leader Kim Jong Un, this will enable a “leap forward in the defense industry” and allow production of modern, high-tech machinery, NK Pro reports.
Moscow is transferring military technologies to Pyongyang in exchange for the deployment of North Korean troops to fight against Ukraine. These troops have played an active role in Russia’s defense of Kursk Oblast.
Analysts emphasize that the
The country has begun construction of its biggest military plant, covering more than 5 hectares. According to leader Kim Jong Un, this will enable a “leap forward in the defense industry” and allow production of modern, high-tech machinery, NK Pro reports.
Moscow is transferring military technologies to Pyongyang in exchange for the deployment of North Korean troops to fight against Ukraine. These troops have played an active role in Russia’s defense of Kursk Oblast.
Analysts emphasize that the new facility could become a tool for significantly increasing North Korea’s military equipment exports, especially to Russia. This will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and impact the global arms market.
On 20 June, the Kremlin officially confirmed that Russia does not want an end to the fire. Moscow refuses to agree to a full ceasefire on the front lines as it plans to continue its offensive against Ukraine.
The factory will produce domestically made Ryonha machine tools, which can replace imported counterparts and provide greater self-sufficiency for North Korea’s defense industry.
Construction started shortly after Kim Jong Un visited the site last month. State media released an artistic rendering of the future plant, which will surpass in size the main production workshop of Huichon Ryonha in Chagang Province.
Earlier, captured North Korean soldiers in Ukraine revealed that Pyongyang operates a military training base designed to resemble Seoul and other major South Korean cities.
The 3.5 km by 1.5 km facility includes a 40-hectare mock city divided into four sections for urban warfare training. Most structures are simple, single-story buildings, with a handful of two-story models.
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On 12 June, hacker groups InformNapalm and Militant Intelligence released several leaked documents obtained from JSC Russian Helicopters—a major Russian helicopter manufacturing company. According to the groups, they obtained all of the company’s international contracts, supply routes, and payment documents of the company revealing extensive foreign cooperation with Russia’s defense sector.
The leak comes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the company already under international
On 12 June, hacker groups InformNapalm and Militant Intelligence released several leaked documents obtained from JSC Russian Helicopters—a major Russian helicopter manufacturing company. According to the groups, they obtained all of the company’s international contracts, supply routes, and payment documents of the company revealing extensive foreign cooperation with Russia’s defense sector.
The leak comes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the company already under internationalsanctions. Russia has developed multiple schemes to evade these sanctions, and the leaked materials expose some of those used specifically by JSC Russian Helicopters.
InformNapalm stated that the cyber operation coincided with Russia’s national holiday.
“Today, 12 June, the terrorist state celebrates ‘Russia Day’,” the group wrote.
The leak was described as symbolic “greetings with a noose” for Russia, meant to expose the vulnerabilities of its military-industrial complex.
Two of the leaked JSC Russian helicopters’ documents. Photos: InformNapalm
InformNapalm denounced the White House’s currently consistent weak stance towards Moscow, pointing out that the US Cyber Command halted cyber operations against Russia during Donald Trump’s presidency. As a result, the group said, “volunteers and enthusiasts” now carry out cyber operations against Russian targets.
Wider cyber operation
The report says that the cyberattack was part of a broader campaign labeled OpsHackRussia’sDay, which, according to the hackers, targeted a network of Russian corporations tied to the defense industry. JSC Russian Helicopters, a holding that unites all Russian helicopter manufacturers, is among the breached entities. The company operates under Oboronprom, itself a subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate Rostec.
“As a result of the hack, [JSC Russian Helicopters’] all international contracts, supply routes, bank receipts, accounts from India and other countries were exposed, including embassy archives and Ministry of Defense documents,” InformNapalm wrote.
Documents reportedly mention India, Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia, Laos, Cuba, Kenya, and Uganda. The leaked content includes full detail on tenders, clients, correspondence, staffing schedules, travel routes, banking relations, and coordination with the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Military logistics and foreign involvement
Among the disclosed data, Egypt is named as a logistics hub for Mi-17V-5 maintenance, while Bulgaria appears in supply chain and repair cooperation schemes, according to the report. Other nations named include Azerbaijan and North Macedonia. The documents mention entities like RAWAN HANS in India and detail procurement pathways through Algeria and Indonesia, often using third-country routes.
Hackers promise more data, predict fallout
The publication claims the leak will lead to serious disruptions:
“This release will bring major problems to their defense sector and expose their international customers and partners who tried to stay hidden.”
The group anticipates “contract terminations, sanctions tightening, and global scandals.”
According to InformNapalm, part of the obtained information is already in use for Ukraine’s defense, and more data will be published over time.
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We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
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