N. Korea's military aid to Russia poses biggest threat to Ukraine’s defence: intel chief

The military aid North Korea provides to Russia, including large amounts of ammunition, is the most damaging for Ukraine, its intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Saturday.

He was speaking at a conference organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Kyiv, where he answered a question on support from other Russian allies, Iran and China.

“Our biggest problem from all these allies of Russia is from North Korea. Because with the volume of military products that they supply, they actually affect the intensity of the fighting,” Budanov said.

His remarks came as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to deepen ties with Russia as he held talks with visiting security chief Sergei Shoigu.

“There is a direct correlation. They are supplying huge volumes of artillery ammunition, which is critical,” Budanov continued.

Besides foreign aid, Moscow is also investing in its own weapons, including by developing and ramping up the production of its Iskander missiles.

“We are now clearly seeing the massive use of Iskander-M,” Budanov said.

“Guided bombs are a huge problem. Their production has been increased several times,” Budanov added.

The aerial bombs hold around half a tonne of explosives and can be dropped from further away, allowing Russian planes to avoid air defence.

To counter sustained Russian assaults, Kyiv has been developing its own weapons production, while asking for increased Western support.

Western allies have throughout the war hesitated before scaling up aid to Ukraine as they seek to avoid direct confrontation with Moscow.

The United States and Britain are now considering whether to let Ukraine use longer-range weapons to strike targets deeper inside Russia – a key request from Kyiv.

“There will be no (escalation),” Budanov said, “there is simply nothing to make this situation worse.”

Budanov speculated that Russia would try to end its war with Ukraine before 2026, due to potential economic problems, partly due to Western sanctions and a need for a new wave of mobilisation.

He vowed to keep fighting.

“We are fighting for our land, we have no other options here. Well, you can’t just say that: You know, I’m tired.”

“It doesn’t work like that. That’s our strength.”