Zelenskyy Warns of Russia–North Korea Drone Tech Sharing

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns about Russia transferring drone and missile technology to North Korea, describing it as a global security threat that requires urgent international attention.

In a statement shared on his official social media account, Zelenskyy said Russian forces had once again used North Korean ballistic missiles in recent attacks on Ukraine, and that his government had gathered evidence indicating Russian-Iranian drone technologies were now appearing in North Korea.

“This is extremely dangerous both for Europe and for East and Southeast Asia,” he warned. “The longer this war continues on our territory, the more warfare technologies evolve, and the greater the threat will be to everyone.”

Zelenskyy said he had discussed the reports with Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, as part of broader efforts to strengthen air defences and counter drone attacks.

He emphasized the indiscriminate nature of Russian missile and drone strikes, which have hit civilian areas in recent days. “In Odessa, a maternity hospital was hit. The Odessa Film Studio suffered major damage – decades of history destroyed,” Zelenskyy wrote. “In the capital, even Saint Sophia Cathedral was damaged. Part of the cathedral’s facade collapsed under the blast wave.”

He described the strikes as a campaign of destruction aimed at Ukraine’s cultural and civilian sites. Zelenskyy concluded with a renewed call for peace and international support. “The whole world will benefit when Russia is forced into peace. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine.”

Drone warfare remains central to both sides in the conflict. Ukraine recently launched one of its deepest drone strikes into Russian territory, hitting an electronics factory in Cheboksary, nearly 800 miles inside the Russian border.

In an exclusive interview with The War Zone, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov warned that Russia is transferring missile, drone, and submarine technology to North Korea in exchange for weapons, artillery, and troops—shifting the regional balance of power and fueling both wars.

Originally from Iran, Russia now builds 2,000 Shaheds monthly—soon ramping to 5,000—while boosting their range, payload, and strike tactics. In just one night (June 8), 479 drones and decoys hit Ukraine.

Budanov revealed that Russia is helping North Korea manufacture Shahed-type kamikaze drones, drastically improve the accuracy of its KN-23 ballistic missiles, and enhance its sea-based nuclear delivery systems. He said Pyongyang has already deployed about 11,000 troops to Russia and supplied long-range artillery, including 120 Koksan guns, which are actively used in combat.

Budanov warned that these developments pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea could soon launch mass drone attacks capable of overwhelming South Korean defenses.

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed strong ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin on Russia Day (June 12), calling him his "dearest comrade." He described their relationship as a “genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms” and stated, “It is an unshakable will of the government of the DPRK and of my own steadfastly to carry on the DPRK-Russia relations.”