Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat posed by the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance, describing it as ‘extremely dangerous’ for Europe and Asia. This comes as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to intensify, with Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, confirming that Russia has significantly enhanced the accuracy of North Korea’s KN-23 ballistic missiles. These improvements raise concerns about the potential for nuclear confrontation, as Budanov noted that ballistic missiles are carriers of nuclear payloads.
The intelligence chief’s confirmation follows recent reports indicating that Pyongyang has been supplying Moscow with more than 11,000 troops, 9 million rounds of artillery ammunition, and at least 100 ballistic missiles. This has led to growing alarm among Ukrainian officials about the exchange of North Korean troops and supplies for Russian technical know-how, including developments in drone warfare learned from Iran. Budanov stated that North Korea has agreed to produce Russian UVAs on its territory, utilizing technologies obtained from Iran and Moscow’s steady supply of Shahed drones.
The situation has been further exacerbated by a mutual defense pact signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which has been described as a deepening military and technological alliance between the two nations. Zelenskyy warned that the continued exchange of military technology could lead to significant changes in the military balance in the region between North Korea and South Korea. He also mentioned the potential for a nuclear-armed North Korea to pose a dangerous threat to the region, with Budanov pointing out that ballistic missiles are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. This development has raised serious concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict, as the enhanced technological capabilities of the North Korean military could lead to a more dangerous and unpredictable security landscape in the region.
Ukrainian officials are now urging international attention to the issue, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to the growing threat posed by the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance. They argue that the continued enhancement of North Korea’s ballistic missiles and its military capabilities could have far-reaching implications for global security, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. As the situation develops, analysts are closely monitoring the potential for a new phase in the geopolitical tensions involving North Korea, Russia, and the wider international community.