**Russia’s Military Upgrade: North Korea‘s Ballistic Missiles Get a Boost**
In an interview with The War Zone, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov revealed that Russia has helped significantly improve North Korea’s KN-23 ballistic missiles. These missiles, also known as Hwasong-11, were initially inaccurate and had malfunctioned mid-air when used by Russian forces against Ukraine.
**From Inaccurate to Deadly Precise**
According to Budanov, the first batch of KN-23 missiles delivered by Pyongyang was plagued by inaccuracies, with some flying off course by several kilometers. However, after Russia received them, they underwent significant upgrades, resulting in a major improvement in accuracy.
“The KN-23 missiles that were delivered in the very beginning, now it’s an absolutely different missile in (terms) of their technical characteristics,” Budanov explained. “The accuracy has increased many times.”
**A Joint Effort**
Budanov attributed this significant upgrade to the joint effort between Russian and North Korean specialists. The upgrades have also affected other areas, such as modernizing long-range air-to-air missiles, technologies on submarines, and ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads.
**Wider Implications**
This improvement in North Korea’s ballistic missiles has significant implications for regional security. With their increased accuracy, these missiles could be used to strike targets across South Korea, potentially overwhelming air defenses. This development also raises concerns about Russia’s involvement in the war against Ukraine and its potential impact on global stability.
**More from the Article**
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