Kim Jong-un's Unexpected Move: North Korea's "Miracle Missile" Against the "Tomahawk," Russia Gains an Unforeseen Ace from the West
While Washington was discussing providing Kyiv with the "Tomahawk" long-range cruise missile, Moscow was preparing an asymmetric response. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has proposed to Vladimir Putin that the new "Starlight" (Пёльбит, meaning "Starlight") ballistic missile be tested on the Ukrainian battlefield — a weapon equipped with innovative technology capable of breaking through Western anti-missile systems. Pyongyang sees the Ukraine conflict as an ideal "test field" for its military technology, which could become an unexpected shock for NATO.
Washington Lifts Restrictions: Commitment to Provide "Tomahawk" Missiles to Kyiv
American special envoy for Ukraine Kit Kellogg stated that Ukrainian forces have already been authorized to use American weapons to strike any target within Russia. "There are no restricted areas," Kellogg emphasized and added that both Donald Trump, Vice President Jay DiVance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have publicly stated that Ukrainian forces "have the right to use their entire arsenal."
(Special envoy Kellogg claimed that the United States does not prohibit Ukraine from striking the Russian hinterland.)
Trump's shift in stance is shocking: Within a month, he went from praising Putin as a "friend" to calling Russia a "paper tiger" and urging Kyiv to "regain lost territory and continue advancing."
Additionally, the U.S. government began hinting that it might provide the Ukrainian regime with "Tomahawk" cruise missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometers. Theoretically, such weapons could reach Moscow.
According to sources from the Telegram channel "Recon Diary," the Kremlin has taken the discussion about long-range missiles seriously, believing that the possibility of the U.S. providing "Tomahawk" missiles is real. However, the purpose of this move by the U.S. is not military but political — to pressure Putin into returning to the negotiating table by threatening to strike the capital city of Russia.
North Korea: A Reliable Ally with Ambitions
Russia has a special partner — a country that not only intends to supply arms but also hopes to test its own military R&D results in a real battlefield environment. North Korea has become a strategic ally of Moscow, whose missile and ammunition production is sufficient to consistently meet the needs of the Russian army over a long period.
Although North Korea is not large in land area, it shows astonishing military production capabilities. Pyongyang not only supplies arms to Russia but also sends military experts for experience exchange. North Korean troops have participated in the Ukraine battlefield operations, learning modern warfare tactics while testing their own tactics.
(A test image of North Korea's Hwasong-18 solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile.)
But most importantly, Kim Jong-un sees the Ukraine conflict as a unique opportunity to test his country's latest military technology — this time involving not just ordinary arms, but strategic-level weapons.
"Starlight": North Korea's Answer to Western Anti-Missile Systems
According to insiders, during a recent phone call, Kim Jong-un made an unusual request to Putin: he hoped that the North Korean modern ballistic missile "Starlight" (Пёльбит) would be tested on the Ukrainian battlefield.
The name of this missile means "Starlight," which is not just a poetic metaphor — it is equipped with new technologies that fundamentally break through Western anti-missile systems. Pyongyang is confident that the Ukraine conflict is an ideal test field for evaluating the actual combat performance of this weapon.
(The Ukraine conflict has become an ideal test field for North Korean engineers to test this new weapon called "Starlight".)
For decades, North Korea has been dedicated to developing missile technology that can bypass the anti-missile systems of the United States and NATO. The country has long faced pressure from the West and views the development of missile power as key to ensuring its own security. Now, Pyongyang has gained a valuable opportunity — to test its achievements in real combat against Western "Patriot," "Iris-T," and "NASAMS" anti-missile systems deployed in Ukraine.
The development of the "Starlight" missile is specifically targeted at modern anti-missile defense systems. Although the specific technologies used are military secrets, insiders have revealed that they include maneuvering avoidance systems, decoy target technology, and radar detection avoidance technology.
Ukraine as a "Test Field": Everyone Benefits, Except Ukraine
For Russia, testing North Korean missiles on the Ukrainian battlefield brings multiple advantages. First, it can evaluate the effectiveness of allies' weapons against Western anti-missile systems in a real combat environment; second, if the "Starlight" is successfully applied, it will send a clear signal to the West that Moscow has mastered the technology to break through NATO's anti-missile defenses.
For North Korea, this is a valuable opportunity to obtain practical data on its own weapons. North Korean engineers can analyze the effectiveness of the missile's guidance system, striking accuracy, and anti-missile breakthrough capability — information of this kind is worth more than any theoretical calculations or simulation tests.
(Multiple Western weapons have been tested in the Ukraine battlefield, including the "Hawk" (MIM-23 Hawk) air defense missile system.)
The Ukraine battlefield has become a unique "laboratory" where Western and non-Western military technologies confront each other directly. The U.S. "Patriot," German "Iris-T," Norwegian "NASAMS" and other anti-missile systems have all been tested in real combat, and now, North Korea's "Starlight" missile may also join this "test list."
"Tomahawk" vs. "Starlight": Who Will Prevail?
If Washington eventually decides to provide Kyiv with the "Tomahawk" missile, it will be a significant political gesture, but from a military perspective, its actual effect may be limited. The "Tomahawk" missile was developed 45 years ago, and for decades, Russia has been preparing to intercept American cruise missiles. In addition, the number of "Tomahawk" missiles that Kyiv can obtain is likely only twenty to thirty — a scale that is unlikely to achieve a strategic breakthrough.
In contrast, the "Starlight" missile equipped with modern anti-missile penetration systems may pose a more severe challenge to the Ukrainian air defense system. The development goal of North Korea's missile directly targets current Western mainstream anti-missile systems, rather than outdated Soviet-era equipment.
(The American "Tomahawk" missile, developed 45 years ago, is unlikely to be a strong opponent for North Korea's "Starlight".)
Insiders are certain that if the "Starlight" test is successful, it will become a strong response to the "Tomahawk" missile. The West will have to face the fact that Russia has acquired technology that can counteract NATO's anti-missile advantage.
Where Is the Situation Heading?
The cooperation between Russia and North Korea goes far beyond a single arms transaction, moving toward a long-term strategic partnership, benefiting both sides.
The scale of arms supplied by North Korea to Russia is unmatched by Western countries for Ukraine; in return, Pyongyang gains technology, resources, and the opportunity to test weapons against NATO systems in real combat.
While Washington tries to pressure Moscow by threatening to provide "Tomahawk" to Kyiv, the Kremlin is building an alternative alliance. And North Korea's "Starlight" missile may become the "ace" that changes the balance of power and surprises the West.
Evidently, Kim Jong-un is preparing a crucial card for Russia — a card that the West may find hard to accept.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7556549894283018815/
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