Russia continues to strengthen its ties with North Korea.(Image: Getty)Russia has been accused of supplying North Korea with intelligence to help Kim Jong Un manufacture Shahed kamikaze drones, the same weapon Iran is using in attempts to penetrate Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ defense system.
The head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has revealed that Moscow and Pyongyang are collaborating, enabling North Korea to produce these drones.
Since Russia initiated its attempted invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the military bond between the two countries has strengthened, with North Korea emerging as a staunch supporter of Vladimir Putin’s campaign, according to Euromaidan Press.
Intelligence agencies from the West and South Korea allege that North Korea is not only providing vast quantities of artillery shells but also deploying as many as 11,000 soldiers in return for cutting-edge military technology.
Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov stated, “There are agreements on the beginning of the creation of capabilities to produce UAVs of the Garpiya and Geran (the Russian marker for Iranian Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones) types on the territory of North Korea.”, reports the Express.
Iran has employed these drones in conjunction with ballistic missiles in efforts to breach the Iron Dome following missile launches from Israel.
Budanov warns that introducing such weaponry into Kim’s forces could significantly alter the military equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific region.
He said: “It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea.”
Russia has been utilizing Shahed drones in its conflict with Ukraine, producing roughly 2,000 units monthly and aiming to ramp up production to 5,000 units.
Moscow and Pyongyang have reportedly exchanged more than drone expertise, as per Budanov’s insights.
The top Ukrainian official speculates that Russia’s involvement has improved the precision of North Korean weaponry like the KN-23 short-range ballistic missile.
Russian drone strikes have devastated large areas of Ukraine.(Image: Getty)He remarked: “Initially, with the beginning of the transfer to Russia, they were flying with a deviation of a few kilometers, but now they are exactly hitting the target. This is the result of the common work of Russian and North Korean specialists.”
Recent satellite imagery exposed North Korea’s efforts to recover a new frigate that capsized during its launch in presence of Kim Jong Un.
Efforts are being made to refit the sunken warship, hinting at possible utility for Russia given the nations’ shared border, highlighting their strengthening ties.
Budanov also alleges that Ukrainian intelligence believes Russia is bolstering North Korea in surmounting past difficulties in their nuclear weapons program, particularly regarding missile transport and submersible launch methods.