Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly accused Russia of utilizing North Korean-supplied ballistic missiles in recent attacks against the city of Zaporizhzhia. According to reports from the BBC, the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals and left 19 others injured, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky’s statement highlights growing concerns among Western allies regarding the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Intelligence agencies have previously suggested that Russia has sought to bolster its munitions stockpiles through North Korean imports to sustain its prolonged campaign in Ukraine. The use of such weaponry, if confirmed by independent forensic analysis, would represent a notable shift in the technological profile of the strikes hitting Ukrainian urban centers.
Russian officials have consistently denied receiving military aid from North Korea, despite mounting evidence presented by international observers and Ukrainian authorities. The incident in Zaporizhzhia has prompted renewed calls from Kyiv for increased air defense support from international partners to mitigate the impact of ballistic missile threats. As the situation develops, the international community remains focused on the potential implications of this military partnership for regional security and the broader trajectory of the war.
The claim is based on a direct statement from President Zelensky regarding ongoing military strikes in Zaporizhzhia. While the use of North Korean weaponry in Ukraine has been a subject of international intelligence reports, this specific report attributes the claim to the Ukrainian head of state.
No corroborating trusted sources found.
Original report: BBC