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North Korea to Produce Russian Shahed-Type Drones, Raising Threat to South Korea
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Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to establish production facilities for Shahed-style strike drones on North Korean territory.
This was stated by Kirill Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), in an interview with The War Zone on June 7.
“[There are] agreements on the beginning of the creation of capabilities to produce UAVs of the Garpiya and Geran types on the territory of North Korea. It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea,” he said.
The agency noted that although initially supplied by Iran, Russia now manufactures about 2,000 Shaheds per month, with plans to increase that number to 5,000.
In a single operation between June 8 night and June 9, Russia launched 479 Shaheds and decoy drones of various types across Ukraine.
Budanov emphasized that this development would shift the military equilibrium in the region between North and South Korea.
According to the outlet, the acquisition of Shahed drones would give North Korea the capacity to target any location across South Korea, potentially in large numbers. This could overwhelm South Korea’s air defenses, creating openings for further munitions-based attacks. Additionally, these drones could be exported back to Russia to aid in its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Initially supplied by Iran, Russia now manufactures about 2,000 Shaheds per month, with plans to increase that number to 5,000. Russia continues to enhance their drones' range, payload, connectivity, and attack patterns. In a single operation between Sunday night and Monday, Russia launched 479 Shaheds and decoy drones of various types across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
On June 1, it was reported that Russia has delivered a Pantsir-S1 mobile air defense system and advanced electronic warfare equipment to North Korea.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
