Russia has resumed the use of DPRK missiles: what does this mean for Ukraine?

Russia has likely received a new batch of North Korean ballistic missiles and may increase their use in attacks on Ukraine, as evidenced by the resumption of North Korean-made missiles after a nearly year-long hiatus.

Reuters reports this, citing its own sources.

According to the agency, one of these missiles may have been used by Russia in the strike on a village near Kryvyi Rih, where an entire family was killed. The publication’s sources suggest that this is the first case of the use of a North Korean ballistic missile in a war against Ukraine in almost a year.

“The resumption of such strikes may indicate the arrival of a new batch of weapons from the DPRK and Moscow’s preparation for more intensive use of ballistic missiles,” the publication’s sources note.

According to the agency, Ukrainian radar control facilities recorded trajectories characteristic of North Korean-made KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles. At the same time, the final type of missile will be established after the completion of the study of the wreckage.

The publication recalls that Russia already used the KN-23 and KN-24 at the end of 2023. According to the agency’s military source, these missiles have a longer range and a more powerful warhead than the Russian Iskanders, but are inferior to them in accuracy.

The agency’s interlocutors also warn that a possible increase in the number of ballistic attacks will create an additional burden on the Ukrainian air defense system.

“The most effective means of intercepting such missiles remain the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems,” the publication’s sources noted.

As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on international partnersto accelerate the supply of missiles to Ukraine for air defense systems, primarily for Patriot complexes.

As previously reported, Zelenskyy, during his visit to Washington, appealed to US President Donald Trump with a request to provide Ukraine with an emergency “winter package” of Patriot interceptor missiles for air defense systems. According to the head of state,Kyiv seeks to receive 300 missiles by the beginning of winter to protect energy infrastructure from Russian strikes.

At the same time, Poland may soon consider transferring additional Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine after the incident with a Russian missile that flew into Polish airspace.

It should be noted that despite statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about agreements to launch production of Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine, the implementation of this project may prove to be much more difficult. One of the main obstacles is the possible refusal of the American corporation Boeing to transfer critical technologies.

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