Russia Reportedly Resumes Use of North Korean Missiles in Ukraine War

Russia is suspected of having used North Korean missiles in its invasion of Ukraine for the first time in nearly a year. Local reports indicate that a civilian family was killed in an attack on Kryvyi Rih, marking the first such incident since August 8, 2025, if confirmed to be of North Korean origin. Russia has previously employed North Korean missiles for attacks across Ukraine. The resumption of North Korean missile use at this juncture suggests that Russia has deployed newly received ammunition and has replenished its missile stocks for offensive operations. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones were used in the previous night's attack, resulting in eight deaths, and has appealed for support, citing the weakening of his country's air defense systems. According to military sources speaking on condition of anonymity, such attacks had ceased since Ukraine claimed Russia used North Korean missiles on August 8, 2025. Russia began using its short-range ballistic missiles, the KN-23 and KN-24, for the first time in attacks on Ukraine in late 2023. North Korea is a close ally of Russia and has been reportedly supplying thousands of troops and millions of artillery shells, in addition to missiles, to Russia. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer