North Korea plans to deliver at least 150 KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, additional artillery shells, and weapons systems to Russia in 2025, according to Kirill Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
“Artillery is being used to support both North Korean and Russian operations, while the missiles are intended solely for Russian objectives,” Budanov told The War Zone in an interview, detailing the scale of the planned arms transfer.
Budanov disclosed that North Korea has already supplied Russia with approximately 120 M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled howitzers (170mm) and 120 M-1991 multiple rocket launchers (240mm) over the past three months. He added that a similar volume of artillery systems could be expected in the near future.
Additionally, North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles—modeled after the Russian Iskander missile and capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear payloads—are already being used by Russian forces.
“Most of this weaponry is being employed against Ukrainian forces or for training exercises in Russia,” Budanov explained.
According to Budanov, North Korea’s military aid has implications beyond just hardware. There is a possibility that Pyongyang could send infantry reinforcements to Russia’s Kursk region in 2025, though their operational effectiveness remains in question.
“We don’t expect to see a significant influx of new ground forces. Their [North Korean soldiers’] role is more symbolic, akin to biological robots,” Budanov said, casting doubt on their ability to shift the battlefield dynamics.
The weapons transfers and potential deployment of North Korean troops signal deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, which have grown closer in the wake of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation. For Russia, North Korea provides a vital source of artillery shells and other munitions at a time when its domestic production has struggled to meet the demands of its war effort.
The KN-23 missiles in particular are seen as a valuable addition to Russia’s arsenal, offering advanced capabilities, including precision targeting and evasion of missile defense systems.