South Korean intelligence has assessed that North Korea’s Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile is being prepared for operational deployment, amid rapidly expanding military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The assessment comes as South Korean authorities report that North Korea continues supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and other military equipment. Seoul estimates that Pyongyang has already provided Moscow with more than 15 million artillery rounds, along with short-range ballistic missile systems.

The Hwasong-12 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile designed to strike targets at extended distances, including the U.S. territory of Guam.

However, current reporting does not independently confirm that Russia has received Hwasong-12 missiles specifically. Recent intelligence reports have instead confirmed North Korean KN-23, KN-24 and KN-30 ballistic missiles being transferred to Russia.