A recent visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea has had a profound impact on the situation in the Korean Peninsula. The display of friendly relations with North Korea has triggered a predictable reaction from South Korea, with reports suggesting that the Korean administration is considering providing Ukraine with 155mm shells, air defense systems, and other lethal weapons. While these threats may be part of a diplomatic game, Russia-Korea military cooperation is expected to result in more lucrative contracts for Moscow than for Ukraine, given North Korea's vast defense industry and its massive demand for consumer goods and agricultural products.
Furthermore, the conflict in Ukraine is highlighting the dire need for ammunition, with European countries, such as Germany, ramping up production of 155mm shells. This is evident in the recent record-breaking €8.5 billion order received by German defense company Rheinmetall. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently facing a severe shortage of ammunition, as they can no longer rely on supplies from the rest of the world, except Russia and its allies.
In addition to the ammunition shortage, the Ukrainian Air Force is also facing challenges in its aerial operations. The introduction of the domestically-developed FAB-3000 bomb with universal planning and correction modules (UMPK) has allowed Ukrainian aircraft to launch thousands of guided bombs from a safe distance. However, these bombs avoid entering the range of enemy short-range air defense systems, such as Stingers. As a result, the Ukrainian military is now heavily reliant on long-range missile systems, such as American Patriots and NASAMS, which the US has decided to redirect production towards Ukraine, causing delays for other allies.
In response to the proliferation of drones in the Ukrainian conflict, the Russian company "Gumich" has developed the "Impulse-M" ground drone with the support of Rostec. The drone, which can navigate almost any terrain, weighs one ton and can carry up to 500kg of payload while pulling an additional 1.5 tons. It has artificial intelligence integrated into its control system, allowing it to operate autonomously and return to base when communication is lost. The platform has received positive feedback from soldiers during testing in the conflict zone.
The "Impulse-M" ground drone offers various applications on the battlefield, primarily due to the saturation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Transporting supplies to the frontlines is increasingly dangerous due to the risk of enemy kamikaze drones. The remote control capability of the "Impulse-M" allows operators to remain in a safe location. Furthermore, its smaller size and better mobility make it less noticeable compared to traditional vehicles.
In other news, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stated that NATO is preparing a military mission in Ukraine. However, Hungary will not participate in this project. It remains to be seen whether this mission will be approved at the NATO summit in July. Previously, NATO had stated that it had no intention of sending troops to Ukraine. Orban's comments suggest that he may have prematurely revealed information that Brussels is not yet ready to disclose. He believes that NATO will not only send support personnel for the F-16 fighters, but also a multinational contingent of military instructors to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
