North Korean Hwasong-9 missile detected hitting target in Ukraine

On October 21, Army Recognition cited recent reports revealing that North Korea's Hwasong-9 medium-range ballistic missiles had been deployed to attack targets in Ukrainian territory.

According to the report, this information was shared on platform X (formerly Twitter) by Chuck Pfarrer, former leader of the U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six and a respected military analyst. The report states that these missiles have been present on the Ukrainian battlefield since last November, marking a new escalation in the conflict as North Korea began providing military support to Russia.

The Hwasong-9 is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea based on the Hwasong-6 (Scud-C) design, capable of striking targets up to 500-700 km away. (Image source: MDAA website)

The Hwasong-9 missile is a key component of North Korea's ballistic missile arsenal. Developed domestically from the Hwasong-6, an upgraded version of the Soviet-era Scud-C missile, the Hwasong-9 carries either conventional or nuclear warheads. Its range is estimated at 500-700 km, allowing it to strike targets at short to medium range, making it a formidable weapon on the battlefield.

One of the Hwasong-9's standout features is its mobility and flexibility, thanks to its transport-electron (TEL) launch platform. This allows the missile to be easily moved, quickly repositioned, and launched unexpectedly, increasing its survivability on the battlefield. This is a result of North Korea's long-term strategy of adapting and improving foreign technologies to serve its military needs, and reflects the transfer of military technology between Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Beyond simply supplying missiles, North Korea also played a crucial role in providing ammunition to Russia in the war in Ukraine. According to Army Recognition, North Korea supplied approximately half of the large-caliber ammunition used in the battlefield in 2024, estimated at over 2 million rounds. Furthermore, North Korea's KN-23 ballistic missiles were used in numerous attacks in Ukraine during the winter of 2023-2024. This information was further confirmed in May 2024 when the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) confirmed that Russia had deployed North Korean missiles following the summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in September 2023.

According to Army Recognition, the deployment of Hwasong-9 missiles in Ukraine marks the first time North Korea has directly participated in the conflict. While the targets of these missiles remain unclear, the appearance of the Hwasong-9 demonstrates the deepening military relationship between North Korea and Russia. After more than a year and a half of intense warfare, Russia is seeking to increase its supply of weapons and ammunition, and North Korea has become a strategic partner in providing the necessary military equipment.

For Ukraine, the presence of the Hwasong-9 missile further increases the challenges to its defense strategy. Ukraine currently relies primarily on air defense systems supplied by Western allies to counter missile attacks from Russia. However, having to deal with a new and advanced missile like the Hwasong-9 could force Ukraine to adjust its strategy, as it lacks experience in dealing with North Korean weapons systems.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/ten-lua-trieu-tien-hwasong-9-duoc-phat-hien-tan-cong-muc-tieu-o-ukraine-353771.html