Main photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter
The Russians have already used at least 24 ballistic missiles of North Korean origin during missile attacks against Ukraine.
This was reported by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin, as quoted by Interfax.
"At least 24 ballistic missiles, presumably manufactured in North Korea, have been used during Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. In total, from December 30, 2023, to February 7, 2024, the enemy carried out at least 12 strikes in seven regions of Ukraine using this type of missile," Kostin said.
According to the Prosecutor General, the attacks targeted Zaporizhzhia, three attacks on Kyiv, as well as cities and villages in Kirovohrad, Poltava, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. As a result of the strikes, 14 civilians were killed, and more than 70 were injured.
The most massive attack with these missiles was documented on February 7, 2024, when the Russians attacked Kyiv with one missile, Pavlohrad, and Kharkiv with two missiles each.
Kostin also mentioned that the strike that caused the most civilian casualties occurred on January 2, 2024, in Kharkiv. At that time, three people were killed, and 64 were injured as a result of the shelling of the city center.
"These missiles have different marking numbers, they have symbols that may indicate their Korean origin. Also, the nature and extent of the destruction (crater size, impact force, trajectory features) were different. These missiles have a larger diameter than similar models of Russian and Soviet origin," the prosecutor noted.
According to Kostin, based on preliminary analysis, North Korean missiles contain explosive warheads with a power of 500-1000 kg in TNT equivalent. The maximum launch range is up to 650 km. According to preliminary data, the strikes were carried out from the territory of the Voronezh region of Russia.
"Out of the 24 missiles launched, we know about two relatively accurate hits: the oil refinery in Kremenchuk and the technical area of the Kanatove airfield. The rest of the missiles hit at a considerable distance from each other - several kilometers or more - or exploded in the air, or struck residential quarters in Kharkiv," Kostin said.
