Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces used North Korean ballistic missiles to attack the city of Zaporijia on Tuesday [1].
The incident marks a significant escalation in the types of weaponry deployed by Russia, highlighting an increasing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Zelensky said the Russian Armed Forces combined the North Korean ballistic missiles with Russian Zircon missiles and guided bombs to strike the southern city [1, 2]. The president said the assault was brutal and was intended to cause maximum damage [1, 2].
Local reports indicate the strikes resulted in significant casualties. At least six people died in the attack [1]. Additionally, 19 people were injured [1].
The use of North Korean technology in the conflict suggests a deepening strategic partnership, one that expands the variety of missile systems targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. The Zircon missile, a hypersonic weapon, is among the most advanced in the Russian arsenal.
Zelensky said the attack on Zaporijia was part of a broader pattern of strikes targeting civilian and strategic areas across the country [1, 3]. The president has repeatedly called for increased international support to defend against these evolving threats [4].
“At least six people were killed in the attack”
The reported use of North Korean ballistic missiles in Zaporijia provides concrete evidence of a military supply chain between Russia and North Korea. This cooperation not only provides Russia with a diverse array of munitions to sustain a long-term war of attrition but also complicates the geopolitical landscape by directly involving a nuclear-armed state in the logistics of the conflict.
