Russia Gets North Korea’s Heavier Hwasong-11C Missiles: Russia has reportedly received North Korea’s heavier Hwasong-11C (KN-30) ballistic missiles for the first time, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence. The development comes as military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang continues to deepen amid the war in Ukraine.
Missile Can Carry a 2.5-Tonne Warhead
The Hwasong-11C is a heavier member of North Korea’s Hwasong-11 missile family. North Korean claims suggest the missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 2.5 tonnes and has a reported range of roughly 600–900 km. However, these performance figures have not been independently verified.
Growing Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation
The reported transfer adds to evidence of expanding military ties between the two countries. Ukraine has previously reported the deployment of North Korean missile personnel and launchers in Russia’s Voronezh region, with the missiles potentially being used in the war against Ukraine.
The reported arrival of the KN-30 could give Russian forces access to a heavier North Korean ballistic missile system, while further highlighting the growing defence partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.