US Edition
Russia Is Helping North Korea Produce Knockoff Iranian Attack Drones, Kyiv Says
- On June 4, 2025, Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia's Security Council, visited North Korea to discuss initiating local production of Iranian-style kamikaze drones.
- This visit followed an agreement where Russia helps North Korea manufacture Shahed-type drones in exchange for North Korean troops supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, stated that Russia currently manufactures around 2,000 Shahed drones each month and intends to boost production to as many as 5,000 units by shifting some manufacturing responsibilities to North Korea.
- Budanov explained that when Russia first received the KN-23 missiles, their accuracy was off by several kilometers, but after collaborative improvements with Russian experts, the missiles are now reliably striking their intended targets.
- This growing military partnership suggests a shift in regional power as North Korea gains drone production capabilities and Russia boosts battlefield resources and manpower.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Russia currently offers technical assistance to the Phenian regime for the production of the Shahed type-dron drones. In addition, the Russians help North Koreans in a "drastic" way to improve the accuracy of the KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, already using at least one bombing on Kiev, said Ukrainian military spy chief Kirilo Budanov, in an interview agreed to the specialized military issue The War Zone.
Russia has offered North Korea assistance in establishing production of Shahid-136 unmanned aerial vehicles on its territory, the head of Ukraine's defense intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, said. According to him, the decision could affect already tense military relations between North and South Korea.
The Kyiv Independent
einnews.comRussia to help North Korea produce Shahed-type drones, Ukraine's spy chief says
Russia has agreed to help North Korea begin domestic production of Shahed-type "kamikaze" drones, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview with the War Zone magazine published on June 9. Shahed drones could enable North Korea to strike targets across South Korea, potentially overwhelming air defenses, and could also assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, the War Zone wrote.Budanov said Moscow and Pyongyang rea…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
