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Russia fired at least 60 North Korean missiles against Ukraine, military intelligence says

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Russia fired at least 60 North Korean missiles against Ukraine, military intelligence says
A view of parts of missile following Russian forces attacked Kyiv with 2 ballistic missiles KN-23 in outside of Kyiv, Ukraine on Aug. 18, 2024. (Danylo Antoniuk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Russia has fired at least 60 North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Ukrainian military spokesperson told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Dec. 2.

North Korea supplied Russia with ammunition, ballistic missiles, and now soldiers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Pyongyang has ratcheted up its support for Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of a mutual defense pact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June.

Earlier reports mentioned more than 5 million artillery shells and 100 short-range ballistic missiles, including short-range ballistic missiles of the KN-23/24 type, supplied to Russia.

"Their accuracy, in principle, is not very high. We understand that the technology with which they were manufactured is outdated," Andrii Cherniak, a military intelligence spokesperson, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

On top of ammunition and missiles, since late October, thousands of North Korean troops have been fighting in Russia’s Kursk Oblast to expel Ukrainian forces holding approximately 800 square kilometers (309 square miles) of Russian territory.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, they suffered their first losses. Pyongyang is believed to receive economic support and assistance for its nuclear weapons program in return for troops and arms supplies.

North Korea has given Russia more than 100 ballistic missiles, 5 million artillery shells, Ukraine says
In comments to Interfax-Ukraine, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) also said Pyongyang had begun supplying Moscow with artillery systems last month.
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Boldizsar Gyori

Boldizsar is a former Reuters correspondent for Hungary, currently based in Kharkiv, reporting for the Kyiv Independent and various other outlets. He holds degrees in political science, philosophy, and development policy.

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