North Korean ballistic missiles, whose quality has often been questioned, are becoming increasingly precise. Attacks conducted using these weapons on Ukrainian positions are starting to yield significantly greater effects for the Russians than in 2024.

Though North Korean ballistic missiles account for only a small portion of Russia's missile strikes they carry a large warhead of up to one tonne and have a range of up to 800 km, the military source said. The Iskander-M, an equivalent Russian missile, carries a smaller payload and has a shorter range of 500 km.