Russia is asking North Korea for new, even more powerful KN-30 ballistic missiles
On August 27, it was reported that Russia is negotiating with North Korea regarding the supply of KN-30 ballistic missiles. According to available estimates, these missiles may be three times more powerful than the KN-23 and KN-24 models, which have already been used by Russia.
This was reported by Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
Chernyak said that Russia is currently trying to obtain another package of military aid from North Korea. The Kremlin needs this ahead of the fall and winter war season.
According to preliminary data from Ukrainian military intelligence, the request to Pyongyang includes:
- 120 ballistic missiles and 6 launchers for them;
- a separate missile unit consisting of up to 90 personnel;
- a contingent of 30,000 to 50,000 DPRK troops.
Intelligence has not yet determined exactly where Russia plans to deploy this contingent.
Of what the Kremlin had previously requested, it has already received 40 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles. The Russians used two of them during one of their most recent attacks on Ukraine.
Chernyak explained why the Kremlin needs such strikes:
“Missile terror is part of the Kremlin’s strategy aimed at intensifying fear and fueling destruction and conflicts within Ukraine,” he said.
According to him, this is how the aggressor is putting pressure on Ukrainian society and attempting to undermine the country’s resilience.
The GUR representative added that the specific details of the new aid from North Korea will be finalized during a meeting between the Kremlin leader and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The talks are scheduled for September.
As a reminder, Russia plans to mobilize another 600,000 people in 2026–2027.
There will be no quick end to the war in Ukraine, as Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has no intention of stopping it.
The Vatican’s top diplomat, Paul Richard Gallagher, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on August 25. The parties discussed the war against Ukraine and agreed to maintain contact. The Vatican emphasized that it advocates for an end to hostilities and the start of genuine negotiations.
