On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia had used a North Korean missile to strike Kyiv overnight, marking a disturbing new development that Ukraine’s air force has labeled a “serious threat.”
Authorities in Kyiv disclosed that Moscow had launched ballistic missiles and “several dozen” explosive drones at the capital. The missiles primarily hit the city’s suburbs, but all drones were intercepted, according to Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration.
The attack resulted in the deaths of a father and his 4-year-old son, as reported by Ukrainian officials. Zelensky condemned the incident as a “deliberate terrorist attack” and indicated that the missile used was from North Korea.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had deployed four North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles and 57 drones, with only four of the drones evading interception. Air force commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk noted that while KN-23 missiles infrequently hit their intended targets, they still pose a significant threat to civilians.
Earlier this month, Kyiv authorities had already identified North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks on the capital. Ukraine has been tracking the use of North Korean missiles for months as Pyongyang aligns more closely with Moscow, which is seeking to replenish its weaponry through its allies. Despite North Korea’s denial of such exports, evidence suggests that Pyongyang has been supplying Moscow with weapons, according to the U.S. and its allies.
In February, Ukraine’s SBU security service reported that Russia had launched over 20 Hwasong-11 missiles, also known as KN-23 and KN-24, since late December, resulting in the deaths of at least two dozen civilians. The Hwasong-11 is believed to be similar to Russia’s Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile, sparking speculation about Moscow’s involvement in its development.
However, questions remain regarding the accuracy and effectiveness of North Korean missiles. Despite ongoing international sanctions, Pyongyang has continued its conventional and nuclear weapons development programs. Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office revealed in May that approximately half of the North Korean missiles deviated from their intended trajectories and exploded in mid-air, with debris often unrecovered.
Experts suggest that the use of North Korean weapons in Ukraine offers valuable insights into their range, flight patterns, and how effectively Western air defenses can counter them.