North Korean Missiles: What We Know
Ben Hodges, the former commander of U.S. Army Europe, says Kyiv will not wait for North Korean rockets to start hitting Ukrainian territory. Instead, he argues, Ukraine will launch asymmetric strikes against the missile crews, launch equipment, and supply lines. The deployment is being watched closely because North Korean missile personnel are now operating inside Voronezh Oblast, around 150 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR). It is another sign of Moscow’s growing reliance on North Korean military supplies.
This North Korean unit is operating as part of Russia’s 112th Missile Brigade and includes:
- roughly 90 North Korean military personnel,
- six launchers,
- up to 120 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles.
Pyongyang has also just sent Russia a fresh supply of 40 ballistic missiles. The renewed combat use of these weapons was seen on July 30, when a missile hit the village of Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, killing a family, including three children. The North Korean missiles are known to have heavier warheads than Russia’s Iskander systems, but they are less precise.
What This Means for Ukraine’s Defense
Ukraine’s only way to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles is with Patriot systems, but the shortage of interceptor missiles is a critical problem. Washington has been using this shortage as pressure on Kyiv. Hodges described the situation as a disgrace for the West, pointing out that Europe has not created anything comparable to Patriot in forty years.
“I predict the Ukrainians will not sit around waiting for North Korean rockets to be launched at their cities. They will make life very difficult for those North Korean missile crews — sooner rather than later,” Hodges said.
According to his forecast, Ukraine’s answer will be asymmetric and will focus on hitting launch positions and other parts of the logistics chain before the missiles are ever fired.
The appearance of North Korean missiles near Voronezh Oblast fits into a broader pattern of new military threats for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing aggression. It also highlights why modern air defense, like Patriot, is essential to a credible defense. Ukraine’s willingness to use asymmetric tactics may be a decisive factor in countering these threats and protecting the country.
As Ukraine prepares to counter the threat of North Korean missiles, the ongoing reliance on air defense systems like the Patriot becomes increasingly critical. Without these advanced interceptors, cities remain vulnerable to potential strikes. For a deeper understanding of the challenges Ukraine faces in defending its territory, explore how the absence of Patriot missiles leaves urban areas exposed in the current conflict landscape.