Ukrainian defense officials reported on January 7 that the precision of short-range ballistic missiles produced by North Korea and used by Russia in its military campaign in Ukraine has significantly improved.
The assessment comes amid growing concerns over deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Washington and Seoul have previously accused Pyongyang of supplying missiles and artillery shells to Moscow, in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
According to Ukrainian officials, the enhanced accuracy of the North Korean missiles suggests that Russia may be providing technical support or adjusting the guidance systems of these weapons. However, Ukrainian authorities have not yet provided specific evidence to support this assessment.
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have noted an increase in the number of North Korean missiles used by Russia on the battlefield. Some of these missiles are believed to have a range of up to 700 kilometers and carry warheads weighing as much as 500 kilograms.
In response to the reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia has the right to cooperate with North Korea in the defense sector, but has denied allegations of violating international sanctions.
