In recent months, Ukraine has faced a barrage of at least 24 ballistic missiles, reportedly of North Korean origin, fired by Russia, as confirmed by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. These attacks, spanning from late December to February 7th, targeted various regions including Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in multiple casualties.
The missiles, identified preliminarily as Kn-23/24, have been analyzed by experts from Ukraine’s defense ministry’s Armaments Research Institute and the prosecutor general’s office. They noted distinguishing features such as larger diameters compared to Russian and Soviet-era models.
However, the accuracy of these missiles has been called into question, with only two out of the approximately two dozen hitting their intended targets – Ukraine’s Kremenchuk oil refinery and Kanatove airfield. The rest either deviated from their path or exploded prematurely.
The prosecutor general’s office is currently conducting further examination on the missiles and their components, aiming to publish the results soon. Despite the ongoing investigation, there is no information available yet on the extent of the missile deliveries or future plans from North Korea to Russia.
US intelligence in early January corroborated Russia’s use of North Korean missiles over Ukraine. The Biden administration has seized upon these events to emphasize Russia’s reliance on acquiring equipment from countries like Iran and North Korea, citing the need for further arms shipments from the US to support Ukraine and its allies.
Relations between Russia, North Korea, and Iran have drawn attention, with meetings between leaders suggesting potential arms deals. Notably, Putin’s meeting with North Korea’s foreign minister and his pledge of closer ties with Iran indicate a pattern of strategic cooperation.
In response to these developments, the European Union has proposed sanctions on North Korea for providing missiles used against Ukraine. However, ballistic missiles, including those from North Korea, pose challenges for interception, with the US Patriot battery being noted as the only reliable defense system against such threats.
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