Support for less than 50 advanced missiles… Concerns over mass aid after Putin’s visit to North Korea
Additional support, including Patriot, has been halted due to delays in budget support from the U.S. Congress.
Russia’s missile production capacity also recovered… There is a high risk of depletion of Ukraine’s air defenses.
The New York Times reported on the 22nd (local time) that U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security officials are concerned that more than a dozen missiles provided to Russia by North Korea could neutralize Ukraine’s air defense network.
It is known that North Korea has currently provided less than 50 missiles to Russia, but additional support is expected to be provided soon. Russia reportedly launched North Korean missiles on the 30th of last month, January 2nd, and January 6th, and also on the 21st.
Most of the missiles supported by North Korea are of the latest type. U.S. officials estimate that it will be as accurate as missiles produced directly by Russia.
South Korean officials are concerned that the war in Ukraine will be a testing ground for North Korea’s missile capabilities. It is expected that the burden of anti-North Korea missile defense will be further increased.
There are not many North Korean missiles used in the Ukraine war yet, but as support increases, Ukraine will have no choice but to use expensive air defense missiles that must be used sparingly. This is a matter of great concern as support for Ukraine from the West, including the United States, has stagnated.
To date, Ukraine’s anti-aircraft capabilities are maintained. U.S. officials reported that Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. forces in Europe, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assessed last week that the Ukrainian military’s air defense network would be able to survive this winter.
However, if North Korean missile support increases and the U.S. Congress delays passing the Ukraine aid budget, the situation may change.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin visits North Korea soon, there is a high possibility that a large number of North Korean missiles will be supplied to Russia again.
It is reported that many of the artillery shells provided to Russia by North Korea misfired. However, thanks to the support of more than 1 million artillery shells, Russia has recently increased the amount of shelling per day to 10,000 shells.
This is a reversal of the situation in which Ukraine launched 7,000 rounds a day last summer, when Western military support was active, while Russia only fired 5,000 rounds. Currently, the Ukrainian military fires only about 2,000 rounds a day.
Nevertheless, what is most worrisome are North Korean missiles. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan accelerated efforts to increase pressure to criticize North Korea in the international community immediately after the first North Korean missile was launched.
U.S. officials believe that the U.S. revelation that North Korea’s weapons were supported by Russia had the effect of stopping or delaying North Korea’s weapons support.
It is also true that anti-aircraft defense weapons such as Patriot missiles supported by the United States greatly helped alleviate the large-scale damage caused by Russian missile attacks.
On the other hand, it is difficult for the United States to provide anti-aircraft missiles and artillery shells to Ukraine due to Congress’s blockade of additional support budget.
U.S. officials are concerned that Ukraine’s air defense capabilities are in jeopardy. Russia’s missile production capacity, which had been diminished due to Western sanctions, has been restored and its stockpile is increasing, and additional support for North Korea’s missiles could easily collapse Ukraine’s air defense.
Meanwhile, Russia is said to be promising fighter jets and advanced technology in return for weapons support. However, U.S. officials estimate that Russia has not yet provided new weapons technology to North Korea.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.