Satellite images show North Korea expanding key facility making missiles Russia uses in Ukraine

North Korea is expanding a weapons manufacturing analyzable that assembles a assortment of short-range missiles allegedly utilized by Russia against Ukraine, outer images showed.

Researchers astatine a deliberation vessel successful the US identified the facility, known arsenic the “February 11” plant, which is portion of the Ryongsong Machine Complex successful Hamhung successful North Korea's second-most populous city.

The appraisal comes conscionable days aft South Korea's spy bureau accused Pyongyang of supplying further artillery systems to Russia and amid claims that immoderate of the North Korean troops deployed successful Russia person begun engaging successful combat.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang person denied allegations of North Korea sending weapons and munitions to assistance Russia's warfare effort.

The North has ratified a communal defence pact with Russia signed successful June which calls to "immediately supply subject and different assistance utilizing each disposable means" if either broadside is successful a authorities of war.

The satellite images taken successful October by Planet Labs amusement what seems to beryllium an further assembly gathering nether operation on with a caller lodging facility, apt intended for workers, according to an investigation by researchers astatine the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

Pyongyang appears to person improved the entrances of immoderate of the underground facilities astatine the analyzable portion constructing the caller assembly gathering which is 60-70 per cent the size of the aged one.

Sam Lair, a probe subordinate astatine the CNS, told Reuters the installation is the lone 1 known to nutrient the Hwasong-11 solid-fuel ballistic missile.

Ukrainian officials accidental these missiles, known arsenic KN-23 successful the West, person been utilized by Russian forces successful their battle connected Ukraine.

North Korean authorities person removed a disused span crane from successful beforehand of a passageway entranceway which was blocking casual access, suggesting they mightiness beryllium placing an accent connected that portion of the facility, according to the researcher. "We spot this arsenic a proposition that they're massively increasing, oregon they're trying to importantly increase, the throughput of this factory," Mr Lair told Reuters.

North Korean authorities quality bureau KCNA has reported that operation is underway astatine the Ryongsong Machine Complex. The installation "is pushing up with the projects for attaining the extremity for modernisation planned for this year," KCNA reported this month.

The enactment includes rebuilding accumulation facilities arsenic good arsenic assembling and installing instrumentality successful instrumentality workshops and a alloy casting workshop, it said.

In November, Russian Telegram channels posted photos purportedly showing North Korean “Koksan” 170mm self-propelled guns being moved by rail wrong Russia. The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian quality assessments, reported that the North has sent 50 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 20 240mm aggregate motorboat rocket systems to Russia successful caller weeks.

South Korea's spy bureau said past period the North had sent much than 13,000 containers carrying artillery, missiles and different accepted arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles.

North Korea is besides claimed to person sent immoderate 11,000 soldiers to the Kursk borderline portion wherever the Russian forces person been warring disconnected a Ukrainian incursion since August.