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Russian Analyst Wants North Korean Warplanes in Ukraine Airspace
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A Russian defense analyst has suggested leasing Su-25 ground-attack aircraft from North Korea to bolster Russian combat capabilities in Ukraine, citing potential upgrades in weapons systems and operational effectiveness.
According to Defence Blog on December 29, Russian military analyst Vladimir Khrustalev proposed the idea following North Korea’s recent celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of its Air Force.
During the event, Su-25 aircraft were showcased carrying what he described as enhanced guided munitions, offering greater precision and range compared to Russia’s own unguided rocket configurations.
Khrustalev, known for his expertise on North Korea’s defense sector, argued that these aircraft could strike frontline and rear targets with less exposure to modern air defense systems. He assessed that such a configuration would increase combat effectiveness while lowering operational risks for pilots.
Khrustalev noted that leasing military aircraft and deploying foreign pilots under temporary command structures is a recognized international practice. In his analysis, North Korea would face limited operational risk due to the proposed use of long-range precision-guided weapons, while also gaining financial benefits, pilot flight experience, and aircraft refurbishment.
Should any aircraft be lost, he suggested Russia could compensate Pyongyang by transferring overhauled Su-25s from its own reserves.
The analyst also highlighted potential improvements in efficiency—suggesting that incorporating guided weapons would allow Russian forces to strike more targets per sortie while optimizing fuel usage, spare parts, and base logistics.
A key component of Khrustalev’s proposal is the reported compatibility of the North Korean Su-25s with a new type of cruise missile. He estimated the missile’s range at 100–150 kilometers, potentially up to 250–300 kilometers.
Additionally, he referenced smaller guided munitions resembling Iran’s Ghaem-114, with a possible operational range of at least 10 kilometers.
He proposed that these precision weapons could be paired with UAV-based laser designation systems, allowing Su-25 strikes similar to the use of Krasnopol laser-guided artillery shells. According to Khrustalev, such cross-platform targeting systems have been standard in NATO operations since the 1980s.
He further suggested that Russian glide bomb kits could be adapted for the North Korean platforms, enabling the use of guided FAB-500-class munitions in place of conventional rocket attacks.
Earlier, Spanish investigators confirmed that the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, which sank off Cartagena in 2024, was smuggling undeclared nuclear reactor parts likely bound for North Korea. The vessel was part of Russia’s shadow fleet and operated by defense-linked Oboronlogistics. Authorities suspect a covert strike and subsequent Russian efforts to recover or destroy the cargo.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
