In an interview with The War Zone Budanow, he said that North Korea got a “gift” from the Kremlin in the form of the possibilities of producing drones from the Shaad family, which from 2022 have been the greatest air threat to Ukraine. Currently, Russia produces about 2,000 Shaad drones per month and plans to increase production to 5000, while constantly improving their range, load capacity, connectivity and tactics.
According to Budanów, there are already agreements regarding the start of the production of GARPIJA and Geran drones-the Russian versions of the Iranian Shahed-136 drone-in North Korea. He warned that such changes “would certainly affect the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea.”
Budanow emphasized that the provision of North Korea [technologii] Shahed drones, which have long been terrorizing Ukraine with its reach and durability, will allow Pyongyang to attack goals throughout South Korea, potentially in an overwhelming number. This could allow the army of Kim Jong Una to saturate air defense systems, and then carry out additional rocket or artillery attacks.
The commander of the Ukrainian military intelligence (Hur) did not rule out another horror.
According to him, drones assembled in North Korea can later be sent back to Russia to use them in the war against Ukraine.
Budanow revealed that the first batch of short-range ballistic missiles KN-23 (also known as HWASONG-11), which North Korea provided Russia, was largely ineffective. According to reports of Ukrainian prosecutors, about half of them deviated from the course or detonated in the air, which meant that the Russian army could not rely on them.
The intelligence officer added, however, that thanks to Russian technical support, these missiles have been significantly improved and are now able to hit with “deadly precision”. This transformation provided Russia with a very needed and permanent source of short -range ballistic missiles (SRBM), strengthening its combat capabilities.
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The deepening cooperation of Russia and North Korea
Budanow described in detail the growing military partnership between North Korea and Russia, noting that Pyongyang provides a wide range of weapons-from older systems such as 122 mm D-74 and 107 mm infantry howitzers, to more advanced platforms, such as 240 mm MLRS and 170 mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled guns.
The Ukrainian military admitted that the M1989 gun performs surprisingly well in the fight: “it shoots from a fairly large distance and is quite accurate.”
When asked about the presence of North Korean staff in Russia, Budanow replied that about 11,000 are stationed in the Kurski region. soldiers from North Korea. He added, however, that this presence may soon increase under the guise of civil work.
After the visit of the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Sergei Szojgu in North Korea, Moscow agreed to admission to work in Russia the so -called Economic migrants from the DPRK – this move is supposedly aimed at replacing employees from Central Asia, which Russia currently considers less stable and more susceptible to recruitment by Western or Ukrainian intelligence services.
Budanov warned, however, that many of these employees can eventually sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense: “And they will not be warriors from North Korea. They will be Russian warriors, but about North Korean nationality,” he said.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
