Zelensky Says Russia Used North Korean Ballistic Missile in Latest Attack on Ukraine, Raising Questions About Moscow’s Expanding War Arsenal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in an attack on the village of Radushne near Kryvyi Rih, killing five members of the same family and intensifying fears that Moscow has secured a renewed supply of weapons from one of its closest international partners.

If confirmed, the strike would mark the first reported use of a North Korean ballistic missile by Russia in nearly a year. Ukrainian officials and military sources say the deployment suggests Moscow may have rebuilt its stockpile of foreign-supplied missiles as it increases the intensity of its attacks across Ukraine.

The allegation comes as Ukraine faces one of the most difficult phases of the war, with officials repeatedly warning that shortages of advanced air defense systems are leaving cities and critical infrastructure increasingly vulnerable to missile and drone attacks.

A deadly strike puts North Korea’s role back in the spotlight

The missile strike on Radushne became one of the most devastating attacks of the latest Russian barrage. Zelensky said the missile destroyed a home, killing two parents and three children. Officials were still trying to determine the fate of other family members, including four children and a young grandchild.

The Ukrainian leader said preliminary information from investigators indicated the missile was North Korean-made. Independent confirmation is still pending, with experts expected to examine debris recovered from the attack site.

A Ukrainian military source said radar data showed missile trajectories consistent with North Korean KN-23 or KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles. The source said investigators would need to study fragments before making a final determination.

The reported use of the weapon highlights a growing concern among Western governments that Russia has expanded its network of military suppliers as the war continues into another year.

Moscow’s missile strategy is changing as the war continues

The latest attack came during a large-scale Russian overnight assault involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones, according to Ukrainian officials. At least nine people were reported killed in the barrage.

Ukraine has warned that Russia has increasingly turned to ballistic missiles because they are harder to intercept than many conventional weapons. Systems such as Russia’s Iskander missiles and similar ballistic weapons can travel at high speeds and require advanced air defense technology.

The Ukrainian military has relied heavily on Western-supplied Patriot air defense systems, which remain among the few weapons capable of intercepting some ballistic missile threats. However, Ukraine has repeatedly said it does not have enough systems to protect all major cities and strategic locations.

The challenge has forced Ukrainian officials to make difficult decisions about where to deploy limited air defense resources as Russia continues targeting energy facilities, military sites and population centers.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military partnership

The reported missile use comes amid a rapidly expanding relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. Russia and North Korea signed a strategic partnership agreement that strengthened military cooperation between the two countries.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, North Korea has emerged as one of Moscow’s most important sources of military support. Pyongyang has reportedly provided Russia with artillery shells and other military supplies, while Western and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of sending troops to support Russian operations.

South Korean officials have estimated that thousands of North Korean soldiers were deployed to assist Russian forces in the Kursk region. Some of those troops were reportedly killed during fighting.

In exchange, North Korea has been accused of seeking economic support, food supplies, energy assistance and access to Russian military technology to strengthen its own defense capabilities. The partnership has raised international concerns because North Korea remains under heavy sanctions related to its nuclear weapons program.

A wider battlefield alliance creates new pressure on Ukraine

Ukraine has increasingly warned that Russia’s cooperation with North Korea represents a broader challenge beyond individual missile strikes.

Zelensky has claimed that Moscow is seeking additional North Korean military support, including the possibility of more troops being sent to assist Russian forces. Ukrainian officials say the growing cooperation could allow Russia to maintain pressure on the battlefield while reducing strain on its own military resources.

For Moscow, access to North Korean weapons provides another option as Western sanctions limit access to certain technologies and military components. Russia has also relied on domestic production and supplies from other international partners to sustain its military campaign.

For Ukraine and its allies, the relationship between Russia and North Korea has become another example of how the war has developed into a wider geopolitical confrontation involving multiple countries.

Poland raises concerns after missile-related incident near border

The latest Russian barrage also raised concerns beyond Ukraine’s borders. Poland, a NATO member, said a large crater discovered in a field about 80 kilometers from the Ukrainian border was likely caused by a Russian missile. The incident highlighted continued fears that the war could create risks for neighboring countries, especially as Russia launches larger and more frequent missile attacks.

Although Russia and Ukraine both deny intentionally targeting civilians, missile strikes have repeatedly caused civilian casualties and damage to residential areas throughout the conflict. The continued attacks have increased pressure on Ukraine’s allies to provide additional air defense systems and military assistance.

The battle over weapons supplies may shape the next phase of the war

The reported North Korean missile strike reflects a broader reality of the conflict: both sides are searching for new ways to maintain military pressure as the war enters a prolonged phase.

Russia’s ability to secure weapons from partners such as North Korea could help Moscow continue large-scale attacks, while Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities depends heavily on continued Western military support.

The investigation into the Radushne strike will determine whether North Korean technology was used in the attack. But the incident has already renewed attention on the expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang and the growing international consequences of the war in Ukraine.

As the conflict continues, the flow of weapons, technology and military support from outside powers may become one of the most important factors shaping what happens on the battlefield next.