North Korea's military aid to Russia, including large amounts of ammunition, is the most dangerous to Ukraine, the country's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said.
He was speaking at a conference organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Kiev, where he answered a question about support from Russia's other allies, Iran and China.
"Our biggest problem of all these allies of Russia is from North Korea. Because with the volume of military products that they supply, they actually influence the intensity of the fighting," Budanov said.
His remarks came at a time when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to deepen ties with Russia as he spoke with visiting security chief Sergei Shoigu.
Kiev has been monitoring Pyongyang's arms shipments to Moscow and feeling their effects on the battlefield.
"There is a direct link. They supply huge amounts of artillery ammunition, which is crucial," Budanov continued.
In addition to foreign aid, Moscow is investing in its own weapons, including by developing and increasing production of its Iskander missiles.
"Now we clearly see the massive use of Iskander-M," Budanov said.
"Guided bombs are a huge problem. Their production has increased several times," Budanov added.
The aerial bombs contain about half a ton of explosives and can be dropped from a greater distance, allowing Russian aircraft to evade air defenses.
To counter sustained Russian attacks, Kiev is developing its own weapons production while seeking greater support from the West.
Throughout the war, Western allies were hesitant to increase aid to Ukraine as they sought to avoid a direct confrontation with Moscow.
Now the US and Britain are considering whether to allow Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to strike targets further inside Russia - a key Kiev demand.
"There will be no (escalation)," Budanov said, "just nothing to aggravate the situation."
Budanov suggested Russia would try to end its war with Ukraine before 2026 because of potential economic problems, in part because of Western sanctions and the need for a new wave of mobilization.
He vowed to keep fighting.
"We are fighting for our land, we have no other options here. Well, you can't just say this: you know, I'm tired."
"It doesn't work that way. That's our strength." | BGNES
