Russia has supplied North Korea with Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, which are already being used to protect the capital, Pyongyang. Besides sending the equipment, North Korean military personnel are receiving training to operate them independently.
According to the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, Moscow is also reportedly recruiting North Koreans to join its own Army, disguised as volunteers.
The Pantsir-S1 systems are designed for short-range defense of civilian and military targets, with a range of up to 20 kilometers and the ability to engage aerial targets at altitudes up to 15 km. Each unit is also equipped with two 30 mm automatic cannons. In Pyongyang, it is expected that the equipment will help protect against drones, especially those coming from South Korea.
Additionally, Russian weapons have been identified on a new North Korean destroyer, including a missile similar to Russia’s 91RE1 anti-submarine missile and the naval Pantsir-M system, which is resistant to interference. This maritime version, based on the ground Pantsir-S, was developed to protect vessels against modern aerial threats such as small and low-flying drones.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @NOELreports | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Russia has already transferred Shahed drone production tech and ready-to-use Pantsir-S1 air defense systems to North Korea — says Ukraine’s intel chief Kyrylo Budanov. pic.twitter.com/b8cheq34mx
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) July 1, 2025
