Russia Plans to Deploy North Korean Missile Unit Near Voronezh for Strikes on Ukraine
Russia is preparing to deploy a North Korean missile unit in Russia’s Voronezh region to support strikes against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence. The deployment could include up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers, Reuters reported, citing comments from Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, UATV English reports.
According to Cherniak, the North Korean contingent will consist of approximately 90 military personnel and is expected to be integrated into Russia’s 112th Missile Brigade, which is based in the Voronezh region, roughly 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
He said the final details of the deployment, including the exact number of missiles and launchers, are expected to be finalized during high-level talks between Moscow and Pyongyang scheduled for next month.
Cherniak stated that North Korea has already supplied Russia with a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles, along with military personnel. Once the deployment is completed, Russia hopes the unit will operate with a total arsenal of 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers.
According to Reuters, the planned deployment would mark another significant step in the expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Russia has been using North Korean-made KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles against Ukraine since late 2023.
Ukrainian military intelligence estimates that North Korea has supplied Russia with around 150 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles since the beginning of that cooperation.
Cherniak also said that approximately 9,500 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia’s Kursk region. According to Ukrainian intelligence, they are not directly participating in combat operations against Ukraine at this stage.
The report follows earlier statements by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said in July that the Kremlin was planning to deploy an additional 30,000 North Korean troops and that preparations for their arrival were underway in the Voronezh region.
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9 of August 2026
