Russia has begun striking targets in Ukraine with “deadly accuracy.” Improved North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles have given Moscow a much-needed source of short-range missiles, Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukrainian military intelligence, told The War Zone.

“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. This is the result of the common work of Russian and North Korean specialists,” he said.

He also noted that Russia is providing North Korea with technology in exchange for troop and weapons supplies.

“Also, there is the modernization of the aviation means of engagement — long-range air-to-air missiles. Particular technologies on submarines. Unfortunately, ballistic missiles which are carriers of nuclear payloads,” the intelligence chief explained.

Budanov also added that agreements exist to begin establishing production facilities on North Korean territory for manufacturing “Harpy” and Shahed-136 drones, which will lead to changes in the regional military balance between North and South Korea.

Additionally, North Korea supplies Russia with:

• 122mm D-74 guns
• 107mm infantry variant MLRS
• 240mm MLRS
• 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery

The latter system performs quite well in combat. It fires from a considerable distance and is quite accurate, Budanov noted.

He added that, according to intelligence data, Pyongyang has transferred 120 such systems to Russia. Budanov believes that supplies of these systems to Russia will continue.

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

Renault, the French automotive giant, has been identified as the company set to produce drones in Ukraine. France Info says production lines could be located “a few dozen or hundred kilometers from the front line.”

Renault to build drones in Ukraine near frontline zones

France Info reported on 8 June that Renault plans to enter the defense sector by partnering with a French SME specializing in defense technology to produce drones in Ukraine. 

The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, initially disclosed on 6 June that a “major French car manufacturer” would produce drones in Ukraine, without naming the company. 

Renault confirmed to France Info that it had been contacted by the French government about the drone production project, but added that “no decision has been made at this stage.”

Lecornu earlier noted that there is no current need for French workers to staff the production facilities in Ukraine. He emphasized Ukrainian expertise, stating that Ukrainians are “better than us at imagining drones and especially at developing the doctrine around them.”

Drones for Ukraine and France

The drones are intended for use by both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the French military. France lags behind in drone capabilities and sees this partnership as an opportunity to benefit from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation and experience.

Militarnyi says that the project will begin with Renault joining small and medium-sized French defense businesses, followed by the establishment of production capacities on Ukrainian territory.

On 6 June, Lecornu also noted that other companies connected to France’s defense industry are already operating in Ukraine.

French military-industrial strategy shifts

This development aligns with earlier announcements in February about France planning to adapt its civilian industry to respond to large-scale military demands. Militarnyi reported that one representative of the French auto industry had already been approached to help launch drone production, particularly for kamikaze-type drones similar to those used in Ukraine. The Ministry of Armed Forces and the French defense procurement agency reportely aim to reach production speeds of several thousand drones within a few months.