KIEV (Reuters)-North Korean ballistic missiles fired against Ukraine by Russian forces since late December have been much more accurate than last year’s gun saves, two upper-ranking Ukrainian sources told Reuters.
At a time when Moscow’s growing ties with Pyongyang are causing Washington’s alarm to Seoul, increased accuracy suggests that North Korea is successfully using the battlefield to test its missile technology, according to sources.
A military source, which requested anonymity to discuss confidential information, has described a significant improvement in the accuracy of all more than 20 North Korean ballistic missiles who have reached Ukraine in recent weeks. A second source, a high -ranking authority of the government familiar with the matter, confirmed the conclusions when asked by Reuters.
Yang UK, an ASAN Institute expert of Seoul Political Studies, said such improvements in the capacity of North Korean missiles have worrying implications for their potential to threaten South, Japan and the United States or sell up-to-date weapons to states or groups armed.
“This can have a big impact on stability in the region and worldwide,” he said in response to questions for this report.
North Korea military programs have developed rapidly in recent years, including short and medium range missiles that, according to Pyongyang, can be equipped with nuclear warheads. However, until its involvement in Ukraine, the nation had long been in isolation had never tested the new weapons in combat.
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The Ukraine Ministry of Defense did not respond to requests for comments. Ukraine usually does not disclose the outcome of missile attacks and russian drones against military targets.
The Russian and South Korea Defense Ministries, as well as South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, did not answer Reuters’ questions.
The North Korean embassy in London did not answer the calls asking for comments or responded to a voice mail message. The country’s mission on the UN did not answer the questions. North Korea and Russia deny any arms agreement, although their leaders promised narrow military cooperation when they met in September in the far eastern Russia.
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The Pentagon and the Office of the US National Intelligence Director declined to comment.
