As Russia continues to wage its war in Ukraine, reports have emerged suggesting North Korea and Moscow's joint drone production in 2025.

NHK has learned that North Korea is expected to start producing drones this year that will be co-developed with Russia.

Though North Korean ballistic missiles account for only a small portion of Russia's missile strikes they carry a large warhead of up to one tonne and have a range of up to 800 km, the military source said. The Iskander-M, an equivalent Russian missile, carries a smaller payload and has a shorter range of 500 km.