First since August Russia's use of North Korean missiles during its attack on Ukraine "indicates a new stockpile of weapons that Moscow can use, intensifying missile attacks," a military source told Reuters, reports UNN.
Details
"The use of North Korean missiles would be consistent with the trend of Russia moving to using more ballistic missiles, such as its 'Iskander' 9M723, which can only be intercepted by American Patriot air defense systems," the military source said.
In his evening address, Zelensky said preliminary data indicates that the missile used in the strike on Radushne was North Korean. Reuters previously reported that the missile used in the strike was likely North Korean, according to two sources.
Zelensky said one missile destroyed a house in the village of Radushne near the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing two parents and their three children. The fate of their four remaining children is unknown, as is the fate of their one-and-a-half-year-old grandson, he said.
A military source said Ukrainian radars detected two missile tracks characteristic of North Korean short-range ballistic missiles KN-23 or KN-24 flying towards Kryvyi Rih during the Russian attack.
Two radar tracks usually indicate that four missiles were launched, the source said, adding that other impact sites are unknown to him.
For a final assessment, investigators needed to study the missile fragments found at the site, and this process is still ongoing, the source said, adding that he is nevertheless confident that it was a North Korean missile.
Russia began shelling Ukraine with North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 missiles in late 2023.
North Korean missiles have a larger warhead and longer range than Russian short-range ballistic missiles 'Iskander', although they are less accurate, the military source said.
In 2024, North Korea sent 14,000 troops to assist Moscow's forces. It also supplied millions of artillery shells for the Russian war effort.
Last week, Zelensky warned that the Kremlin wants North Korea to send another 30,000 troops, and said Russia is preparing to receive them in the Voronezh region.