North Korean missile unit deploys to Western Russia with up to 120 ballistic missiles for Ukraine war

A devastating Russian missile and drone barrage overnight on August 5, 2026, killed at least 21 people in Ukraine, including 17 in the Kyiv region. The attack highlighted Ukraine's critical shortage of high-end air defenses, as none of the 24 ballistic missiles were intercepted. Amid these vulnerabilities, Ukrainian intelligence reported that a North Korean missile unit of 90 personnel is deploying to western Russia's Voronezh region, equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers.

Kyiv ballistic missile attack

• ▪A Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight on August 5, 2026, killed at least 21 people, including 17 in the Kyiv region.
• ▪Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 98 of the 115 Russian drones launched overnight on August 5, 2026, but did not report intercepting any of the ballistic missiles.
• ▪During the overnight attack on August 5, 2026, Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, four anti-ship missiles, and 115 drones at Ukraine.

Air defence interceptor shortage

• ▪Ukrainian air force data shows missile interception rates fell to 44.4% between July 6 and August 5, 2026, compared to 66.7% during the same period in 2025.
• ▪Ukraine failed to intercept any of the 24 ballistic or Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles launched by Russia during an attack on August 5, 2026.

Zelensky appeals to allies

• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that delays in receiving anti-ballistic systems from partners lead directly to horrific casualties and destruction.
• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed securing more air defense interceptors with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on August 5, 2026.

North Korean missiles to Russia

• ▪The deploying North Korean missile unit is expected to be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.
• ▪North Korea has already delivered a new batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles and personnel to Russia.
• ▪A North Korean missile unit of around 90 personnel is deploying to Russia's western Voronezh region within the 112th Missile Brigade.

Ukrainian strikes inside Russia

• ▪A drone crash on a beach in the southern Krasnodar resort town of Gelendzhik on August 3, 2026, killed seven people, including three children, and injured 40 others.
• ▪A Russian drone crashed into a Wildberries e-commerce warehouse in Russia's Tula region overnight on August 5, 2026, causing a fire and injuring one person.