Russia has reportedly used North Korean ballistic missiles in an attack on Ukraine for the first time in nearly a year. If confirmed, this could indicate that Russia has received additional missile supplies from North Korea.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "It appears that Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in its attack on Radushne, near Kryvyi Rih in central Dnipropetrovsk Oblast."
President Zelensky noted that while further investigation and verification are needed, the evidence gathered so far suggests the use of North Korean missiles.
The attack resulted in fatalities, including children from a single family. Local authorities and Ukrainian media report that at least six people have died.
A Ukrainian military source told Reuters that the missile flight path detected by radar matched that of North Korean short-range ballistic missiles KN-23 or KN-24. However, the exact type of missile will need to be confirmed through further analysis of debris collected at the site.
Reuters reported that the last confirmed use of North Korean missiles by Russia was in August of the previous year. If this analysis is validated, it would mark the return of North Korean missiles to attacks on Ukraine after nearly a year.
Since late 2023, Russia has been using North Korean ballistic missiles in its attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian military sources suggest that the renewed use of North Korean missiles after a long hiatus indicates that Russia may have received new supplies from North Korea.
North Korea and Russia have been expanding military cooperation since signing a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" in June 2024. North Korea has sent troops to the Russian front in Kursk, and there are recent discussions about the possibility of additional troop deployments.
President Zelensky recently claimed that North Korea might send an additional 30,000 troops to Russia. Neither Russia nor North Korea has issued a separate statement regarding the claims of missile use.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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