North Korean Missile Used in Russian Attack on Ukraine

Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine's Kyiv region on Monday night, reportedly utilizing a combination of Iskander-M and North Korean-made Hwasong-11 (KN-23) ballistic missiles.

This was reported by the official Telegram channel of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that Russia has employed North Korean weaponry in its attacks on Ukraine. In an attack on July 31, the Russians had used a KN-23 ballistic missile, reports say.

The attack occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. local time, with Russian forces launching four Iskander-M missiles and one Hwasong-11 missile from the Voronezh region of Russia towards Kyiv and its suburbs. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted two of the missiles, preventing potential damage and casualties.

A photo of a missile fragment was published on the "Colonel GSh" Telegram channel on Tuesday morning, claiming it was a piece of the Hwasong-11 missile used in the attack. The image shows a fragment with distinctive markings consistent with previously identified North Korean missiles. The missiles are reportedly made of low-quality components.

Russia's use of North Korean missiles violates UN Security Council sanctions on arms embargoes to and from North Korea. In April, the UN confirmed a similar violation after it confirmed Russia struck Kharkiv with a Hwasong-11 missile in January.