Russia may intensify North Korean missile attacks on Ukraine

Russia used a North Korean missile to strike a village, killing five members of a single family, Reuters reports.

This is likely the first use of such weapons in the war in nearly a year.

Russia has previously launched North Korean missiles at Ukrainian targets, but their first use since August indicates the presence of new weapons stockpiles that Moscow could draw on in the face of increased missile attacks.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that during the attack, Ukrainian radars detected two missile trajectories consistent with North Korean KN-23 or KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles flying toward Kryvyi Rih.

According to him, two radar trajectories generally indicate that four missiles were fired, but the source added that he knows nothing about other impact sites.

For a final assessment, investigators need to examine the missile debris found at the scene, the agency's source noted, adding that despite this, he is confident 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 a longer range than Russian Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, although they are less accurate.

Photo: Dnipropetrovsk OVA.