North Korea Sent 148 KN-23 Missiles to Russia in 2024, Plans to Send 150 More in 2025, Says Spy Chief

Russia received 148 KN-23 ballistic missiles from North Korea in 2024, which are actively being used to strike Ukrainian territory, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), told The War Zone on January 23.

According to Budanov, North Korea is expected to deliver an additional 150 KN-23 missiles to Russia later this year.

Russia has been launching KN-23 missiles at Ukraine from positions in the Kursk and Bryansk regions. North Korean military specialists are reportedly assisting Russian forces in operating these tactical missile systems.

In December, HUR representative Andrii Cherniak stated in an interview with Radio Liberty that Russia had used approximately 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles against Ukraine by that time.

“Their accuracy isn’t particularly high, but they still pose a significant threat,” Cherniak noted.

Ukrainian intelligence specialists have uncovered a substantial amount of Western-manufactured components in the KN-23 missiles. Due to Russia’s frequent use of these weapons, Ukrainian experts were able to recover numerous intact parts, revealing that a significant portion of the components were produced by companies in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Over the past three months, North Korea has also supplied Russia with approximately 120 units of 170mm M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled artillery systems and 120 units of 240mm M-1991 multiple rocket launchers. Budanov emphasized that North Korea is likely to send at least as many additional units shortly.

Earlier, reports emerged that North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region expect to receive reinforcements within two months.