Russia's potential missile supplies from Iran and North Korea. An overlooked threat to Ukraine?

The possibility of Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from a fresh source is scrutinized by the Ukrainian Defense Express service, using data from America. They believe that despite occasional media rumors of Russia purchasing these sorts of weapons, with no tangible outcome, the risk should never be underestimated.

This concern stems from intelligence obtained and released by the United States, suggesting Russia has made advancements in negotiations with countries that can provide a variety of airstrikes and weaponry. These include simple weapons or inexpensive mass-produced drones, artillery ammunition, and missile systems, which could potentially reach hundreds of kilometers; Iran and North Korea are reportedly the potential suppliers.

The US believes that while the transaction is yet to be finalized, negotiations since the fall of 2022 have resolved all major disputes. This could hypothetically result in Iranian missile deliveries occurring later this spring.

Prospective options include the solid-fuel Fateh-110 missiles, capable of delivering a 1,102-pound warhead to a distance of 186 miles. Notably, these missiles boast impressive accuracy, with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) - an assessment of missile accuracy, of merely 33 feet. The CEP measured up to a massive 1,968 feet for earlier versions of the missile.

The second missile Iran might supply to Russia is the Zolfaghar missile, a Fateh-110 derivative that entered service in 2017. With a length of over 33 feet and a weight of over 4 tons, this missile can launch a 1,300-pound warhead up to 435 miles away.

A unique feature of this missile is that the warhead separates from the missile's body in flight. This increases the number of potential targets and makes it more challenging for anti-ballistic missile systems to execute countermeasures.

Russia and North Korea's relationship is allegedly more intimate. In addition to artillery ammunition and mines, the US suggests Russia has also procured several dozen short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea.

The speculated types of these missiles include the KN-18, KN-23, KN-24, and KN-25 missile range, boasting distances from 236 to 429 miles.