Since late December 2024, Russian forces have employed North Korean ballistic missiles in Ukraine with notably improved accuracy, according to senior Ukrainian military officials who spoke to Reuters.
Sources cited by Reuters said over 20 North Korean K-23 ballistic missiles fired at Ukraine in recent weeks have shown a reduced deviation from their targets, now down to 50-100 meters, a significant enhancement from earlier in the year when deviations ranged from 1 to 3 kilometers.
Analysts suggest that North Korea has been using the Ukrainian battlefield to test and refine its missile technology. The observed improvements may have resulted from advancements in navigation systems, steering mechanisms, or enhanced targeting data possibly provided by Russia.
The recent development raises concerns about the potential threat to nations such as South Korea, Japan, and the United States, and the possibility of North Korea exporting upgraded weapons to unstable states or armed groups.
Russia finetunes N.Korea’s ballistic missiles to be terrifyingly accurate
Continental US could now be hit with pinpoint METERS-accuracy#DPRK #Russia pic.twitter.com/4cIJxOPllc— Uncensored News (@Uncensorednewsw) February 6, 2025
Since the full-scale invasion began, North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery ammunition, and ballistic missiles. In return, Russia has provided them access to Russian military technologies, advanced air missile systems, and even exotic animals. Military cooperation between the two countries deepened after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defense pact in June.
Footage of a test of the North Korean operational and tactical missile system “KN-23” in 2021.
North Korea delivered these missiles to Russia, where they have already been used against Ukraine.
❗️❗️❗️The USA said in the fall that they would never accept this. pic.twitter.com/bGojr9AIC5
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) January 5, 2024
Aside from missiles and other military equipment, North Korea also provided Russia with manpower. Earlier reports stated that North Korea has deployed at least 12,000 troops to help Russia in its fight against Ukraine.
Last week, Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces told CNN that North Korean troops had not been observed in combat zones for approximately three weeks and were “probably forced to withdraw after suffering heavy losses.”
