Russia has received new weapons from North Korea: which regions of Ukraine could be at risk

Russia has received its first batch of North Korean KN-30 ballistic missiles , also known as Hwasong-11C, and has begun deploying them in the Voronezh region. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this is a new type of missile that had not previously been publicly linked to Russian strikes on Ukraine, reports Army Recognition.

According to the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), by July 2026 North Korea had transferred around 50 KN-23, KN-24 and KN-30 ballistic missiles to Russia. In addition, six launchers are being deployed in the Voronezh region, which may be operated by North Korean military personnel alongside Russia’s 112th Missile Brigade.

However, ISW analysts note that they have not yet observed any evidence of these specific missiles being used against Ukraine.

What is known about the new missile

The KN-30 is considered to be a development of North Korea’s Hwasong-11 family, which includes the KN-23 and KN-24 missiles already used by Russia. According to published estimates, the new missile is approximately 10.1–10.2 metres long and has a diameter of around 1.26 metres.

The claimed range of the KN-30 is estimated at approximately 600–900 km, whilst the warhead’s weight may reach 2.5 tonnes. However, some of these specifications have not yet been independently verified, so they should be treated as claimed or estimated figures. The long range means that launchers can be positioned deeper within Russian territory, whilst still being able to strike targets in Ukraine.

Which regions could fall within the strike range

The deployment of North Korean missiles in the Voronezh region potentially expands the range of Ukrainian regions that Russia could target with ballistic strikes.

According to ISW estimates, the Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions could fall within the range of such missiles from this area. The specific area depends on the actual range of the missiles and the precise location of the launchers.

Consequently, the potential threat extends not only to border areas but also to central Ukraine, including the Kyiv region.

How many missiles might Russia acquire?

One of the most significant details relates not to the missiles already transferred, but to the prospect of further deployment.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, six launchers could be deployed in the Voronezh region, and the unit’s total warhead complement could potentially reach 120 missiles. However, this is merely a stated plan or potential for deployment, rather than confirmed evidence of 120 KN-30s currently in service.

If such deliveries continue, Russia will gain an additional source of ballistic munitions, which it could use to supplement its own arsenal, including missiles for the ‘Iskander-M’ system.

Why this places an additional strain on air defence

Ballistic missiles are among the most challenging targets for air defence. Specialised systems are required to intercept them, and Ukraine’s stock of such systems is limited.

Therefore, even a relatively small consignment of North Korean missiles could make a difference: the Russian army would be able to increase the number of ballistic targets in combined attacks, forcing Ukrainian air defence to use up its limited stock of interceptors.

At the same time, the KN-30, like other North Korean missiles, may suffer from accuracy issues. The ISW, citing a Ukrainian military expert, notes that North Korean KN-23s have, in a number of cases, deviated significantly from their calculated point of impact. At the same time, they may carry a heavier warhead, which increases the potential scale of destruction upon impact.

Russia has already used North Korean missiles

Supplies of ballistic missiles from North Korea to the Russian army are not a new practice. Moscow has already deployed KN-23 and KN-24 missiles against Ukraine, and their use has been documented by Ukrainian and international sources.

What is new about the current situation is the emergence of reports regarding the supply of the KN-30 in particular, as well as the possible establishment of a separate North Korean missile unit on Russian territory. According to the ISW, this unit may also include North Korean military personnel.