Ukrainian intelligence says Russia plans to deploy North Korean missile unit in the Voronezh region

Russia plans to station a missile unit made up of North Korean troops in the Voronezh region, according to Andrii Cherniak, a representative of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, the Reuters news agency reported.

The unit numbers about 90 people and will be folded into Russia’s 112th missile brigade, Cherniak said. He said it could receive up to 120 North Korean ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes on Ukraine, adding that Pyongyang has already sent a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles to Russia, along with personnel.

Cherniak said the deployment plans and the final missile count are expected to be worked out during talks next month.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said North Korean launchers would become a legitimate target if Russia deploys them for strikes on Ukraine. “First of all, these launchers, if deployed, must be destroyed. They immediately become a legitimate military target, so our military will respond accordingly,” he said.

In late July, Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles to strike Ukraine for the first time in the past 12 months. According to Cherniak, missiles from the new batch of 40 were used in the strike. Volodymyr Zelensky said a North Korean ballistic missile was used to strike Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, killing a family with multiple children.