In the course of their research , experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise concluded that the enemy had once again begun to use KN-23 ballistic missiles produced by the DPRK against Ukraine. Thanks to what it was possible to establish this and what are the features of these missiles, Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, told UNN.
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According to the Director of KFI, North Korean missiles have atypical external features.
The Institute's experts are currently examining parts and fragments of missiles used by the Russian Federation against Ukraine since the beginning of July 2024. Some of the objects submitted for examination have been identified as fragments of KN-23 ballistic missiles manufactured by North Korea. This is evidenced by the specifics of the external design of the parts and fragments, atypical design and engineering. Simply put, the parts and fragments are made using special technologies or design that differ from all those previously studied by experts. We are talking about atypical signs of metal welding, markings, and a number of other features
Ruvin noted that the Institute's specialists have all the capabilities and high-tech material and technical base to quickly analyze the composition of metals. In this case, the results are different from any previously studied metals from Russian-made missiles such as X-101, Iskander, Kalibr, Kinzhal, Zircon, and others. He also emphasized that the KN-23 missiles have a powerful warhead. Therefore, after they are shot down by air defense forces, there is little debris that can be examined.
"It should be noted that the warhead of the KN-23 is very powerful, according to open sources, its weight is about 500 kg, so there is a very small research base for their use and cases of neutralization by Ukrainian air defense forces," explained the Director of KFI.