On Tuesday, July 1, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s intelligence chief confirmed that North Korea has deployed the Russian-made “Pantsir S-1” air defense system in Pyongyang. At the same time, Russia is transferring attack drone manufacturing technology to North Korea.
According to the report from Kyiv Independent, on July 1, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Directorate, stated in an interview with Hromadske Radio that North Korea has deployed the Russian-made “Pantsir S-1” air defense system in Pyongyang, with Russian assistance in training North Korean soldiers to operate it.
“I can tell you, for example, the first batch of ‘Pantsir S-1′ equipment has already appeared in Pyongyang,” Budanov said. “They are carrying out combat missions there, defending their capital. And Russia is training North Korean military personnel, allowing North Korea to independently research this technology soon.”
The Pantsir S-1 is a Russian air defense system used to protect its military industrial facilities, with an estimated cost of around 15 million US dollars.
Budanov stated that the arrival of the Pantsir S-1 missiles once again demonstrates that North Korea is enhancing its weapons and military capabilities through cooperation with Russia.
In June 2024, Russia and North Korea signed the “Russia-North Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement,” where North Korea provides weapons and troops to Russia in exchange for military training and advanced technology from Russia.
Budanov also mentioned that the number of North Korean citizens in Russia is expected to “significantly increase.” Some North Korean citizens will register to join the Russian army, making it appear less like an official transfer from the North Korean army and more like individual volunteering.
The day before Budanov made these comments, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly mourned North Korean soldiers who died in the war in Ukraine. The ceremony took place during the visit of Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova to North Korea, highlighting the ongoing deepening military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Budanov pointed out that Russia has also provided advanced electronic warfare systems to North Korea, helped build modern warships, and improved North Korea’s KN-23 ballistic missiles for better accuracy.
Last month, Moscow agreed to assist Pyongyang in mass-producing the “Shahed” attack drones. The drones were originally developed by Iran and, through Russian technology transformation, have now further reached North Korea.
Budanov also mentioned that Chinese citizens are participating in Russian combat operations in Ukraine. He stated that the main purpose of these Chinese soldiers’ participation in the war is to gain real combat experience, similar to the situation with North Korea.
Ukrainian media previously reported that Russia plans to arrange for approximately 600 Chinese soldiers to enter Russian military facilities for training this year.