Ukra "North Korea Offers More Than 100 Ballistic Missiles to Russia"

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency claimed on the 25th local time that North Korea has provided Russia with more than 100 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles and sent military experts to maintain the launch pad.

KN-23 and KN-24 are tactical guided missiles similar to Russia's "Iskander-M" and the U.S. ATACMS, respectively, and the North Korean names are "Hwasong-11a" and "Hwasong-11a."

Ukrainian authorities say Russia has been using the missiles in its attack on Ukraine since late last year.

The Defense Intelligence Agency recently updated the list of foreign parts found in the wreckage of KN-23 and KN-24, adding parts manufactured by Chinese, American, Japanese, British and Swiss companies, especially voltage converters manufactured by British manufacturer XP Power in February 2023.

It is noteworthy that even after February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, North Korea obtained foreign parts and used them for missile production to avoid international sanctions.

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency said Russia, North Korea and Iran are working together to secure weapons technology and avoiding international sanctions, stressing the need for appropriate measures, such as tightening export controls.

Weapons experts say it is unclear how these parts entered North Korea, but believe that Chinese companies may have been involved.