"North Korea Deploys Russian Air Defense System 'Pantsir' for Pyongyang Defense"

Chief of Ukrainian Military Intelligence Speaks in Local Interview
Russia Retraining North Korean Personnel
Sign of Deepening Russia-North Korea Military Cooperation

There are claims that North Korea is already utilizing the 'Pantsir S-1' air defense system received from Russia to defend Pyongyang.

On July 1 (local time), the Kyiv Independent of Ukraine reported that Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian military, revealed this information during a local radio interview. The Pantsir is a representative Russian-developed air defense weapon, equipped with a radar system, surface-to-air guided missiles, and anti-aircraft guns.

Chief Budanov stated, "The first Pantsir has already been installed in Pyongyang and is performing capital defense duties," adding, "Russia is retraining North Korean personnel, and soon North Korea will be able to use the technology independently."

The Kyiv Independent pointed out that North Korea's introduction of the Pantsir is a signal that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is deepening.

Chief Budanov analyzed that North Korea is significantly strengthening its military power through cooperation with Russia.

He explained that North Korea is not only receiving weapons systems and military technology from Russia in return for dispatching troops to support Russia in the war in Ukraine, but is also gaining real combat experience in the Ukraine war.

It is known that Russia has provided North Korea with advanced electronic warfare systems, supported the construction of the latest warships, and assisted in the improvement of the KN-23 short-range ballistic missile.

There is also a possibility that North Korea's support of troops may proceed in a form different from the traditional method of direct troop dispatch.

Chief Budanov predicted that, amid cooperation between the two countries, "the number of North Korean residents in Russia will increase significantly," and that some of them may enlist in the Russian military as volunteers.

This suggests that North Korea may support Russia with troops not through official troop dispatch, but in the form of individual citizens volunteering to enlist.

Previously, in June last year, North Korea signed a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty' with Russia, elevating bilateral relations to the level of a security alliance and supporting Russia in the war in Ukraine. Last month, North Korea also agreed to send an additional 6,000 personnel, including engineering troops and military construction workers.