Russia Deploys 120 North Korean Missiles in Ukraine as Kyiv Strike Kills 17
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 5
Russia Deploys 120 North Korean Missiles in Ukraine as Kyiv Strike Kills 17
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 5
Summary
Russia has begun fielding a North Korean missile unit with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for use against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
About 90 North Korean personnel are expected in Russia's Voronezh region to support the unit, and Kyiv says Pyongyang has already delivered 40 more KN-23 and KN-24 missiles.
The deployment follows Russia's Aug. 4 barrage on Kyiv and nearby areas, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 24 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 115 drones killed at least 17 people.
Ukraine says a late-July strike was the first recorded use of North Korean ballistic missiles since August 2025, underscoring Russia's growing reliance on weapons that require scarce Patriot-class interceptors.
Since late 2023, HUR estimates Russia has received about 150 North Korean ballistic missiles, while analysts say Pyongyang is also gaining battlefield data to improve its own missile performance.
How will North Korea's covert new logistics bridge to Russia reshape the battlefield and accelerate its own dangerous missile evolution?
Will Ukraine's stretched air defenses collapse under the weight of North Korea's untested but overwhelming ballistic missile barrage?
What hidden price is Moscow paying for Pyongyang's ballistic missiles, and could this alliance permanently shatter global security protocols?
The 2026 Russia–North Korea Military Axis: How Pyongyang’s Missiles and Troops Escalated the Ukraine War and Redrew Global Security Lines
Overview
In August 2026, the Russia–North Korea alliance reached a new level as North Korean missile units deployed to western Russia, directly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. This partnership, built on recent defense treaties, enabled Russia to launch deadly missile attacks using North Korean KN-23 systems, which had rapidly improved in accuracy thanks to real-time battlefield feedback. As Ukraine’s air defenses struggled with interceptor shortages, Russian strikes caused severe civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Meanwhile, North Korea gained economic rewards and advanced technology from Russia, undermining global sanctions and shifting the security balance in both Europe and East Asia, while Ukraine and its allies raced to adapt their defenses and strategies.