Fact Check: North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles similar to Iskandar-M.

Fact Check: "North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles similar to Iskandar-M."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has indeed supplied Russia with military equipment, including ballistic missiles. According to a CNN report, North Korea has sent a significant amount of munitions to Russia, which includes missiles and rockets. Additionally, U.S. intelligence has confirmed that Russia is utilizing North Korean ballistic missiles, specifically the KN-23, which has been described as resembling the Iskander-M in terms of external appearance and function (Military Watch Magazine).

The Iskander-M missile system is known for its advanced capabilities, including in-flight maneuvering and sophisticated countermeasures designed to evade missile defenses (Eurasian Times). The KN-23, while similar in some respects, is an independent development by North Korea and lacks some of the advanced features of the Iskander-M, such as decoy deployment and high accuracy (Eurasian Times).

Analysis

The claim that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles similar to the Iskander-M is partially true. While it is confirmed that North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles, the specific missile in question—the KN-23—differs significantly from the Iskander-M in terms of capabilities. The KN-23 has been described as a "North Korean Iskander" due to its external resemblance, but it does not possess the same level of sophistication (Military Watch Magazine).

Furthermore, reports suggest that while Russia may be utilizing the KN-23, it has not been confirmed that these missiles have been upgraded to match the capabilities of the Iskander-M. The KN-23 is larger and less accurate than the Iskander-M, which has a much tighter circular error probable (CEP) of 5-7 meters compared to the KN-23's 30-50 meters (Eurasian Times).

The reliability of the sources varies, with CNN and Eurasian Times being reputable news outlets, while Military Watch Magazine, although informative, may have a more specialized focus that could influence its perspective. Therefore, while the information from these sources is credible, it is essential to consider the context and the specifics of the missile systems involved.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that "North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles similar to Iskandar-M" is Partially True. North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles, including the KN-23, which has similarities to the Iskander-M. However, the KN-23 lacks many of the advanced features that characterize the Iskander-M, making the statement somewhat misleading without further clarification.

Fact Check: North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles similar to Iskandar-M.