Russia seeks new North Korean missiles and up to 50,000 troops - Ukrainian intelligence
Russia is seeking a new military aid package from North Korea that could include KN-30 ballistic missiles, launchers and up to 50,000 troops, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.
Andrii Cherniak, a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), told LIGA.net that Moscow is negotiating with Pyongyang over additional military assistance.
According to preliminary Ukrainian intelligence estimates, Russia’s request includes 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, a missile unit of up to 90 personnel, and a contingent of between 30,000 and 50,000 North Korean troops.
Cherniak said Russia has already received 40 KN-23/24 ballistic missiles as part of the requested package, two of which were used in a recent attack on Ukraine.
Moscow is also seeking KN-30 ballistic missiles, which North Korea has not previously supplied to Russia, according to Ukrainian intelligence. HUR has so far detected no transfer of the missiles.
Cherniak said the final scope of North Korean military assistance to Russia could be decided during talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September.
North Korea has previously supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and deployed troops to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence reported in 2024 that about 12,000 North Korean troops, including around 500 officers, had been sent to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously said Russia was seeking to bring an additional 30,000 to 50,000 North Koreans to gain experience from the war in Ukraine, warning that such deployments could have security implications for countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Pyongyang has denied claims that it plans to send tens of thousands of additional troops to Russia, calling the assessments “groundless.”