Russia May Use N.Korean Missiles Again

PHOTO CAPTION: Emergency personnel work following a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a location given as Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, in this handout image released on July 30, 2026. State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Region/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON, July 30 — A Russian overnight strike that killed a family near the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih likely involved a North Korean missile, two sources said, in what would be the first known use of such a weapon in the war in nearly a year.

Russia has used North Korean missiles against Ukraine before. One of the sources said the apparent return of the weapon after a long gap suggests Moscow may have a fresh supply available as it steps up missile attacks on Ukraine.

Russia launched dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukraine overnight, killing eight people, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy criticized shortages of air-defense supplies and urged allies to provide more support.

A military source who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said August 8, 2025, was the last time Ukraine confirmed that Russia had used a North Korean missile in a strike.

Russia began firing North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine toward the end of 2023.

North Korea has been one of Russia’s closest partners during the war in Ukraine. In addition to missiles, Pyongyang has provided thousands of troops and millions of artillery shells for Russia’s war effort.

Ukraine’s air force did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.

(Source: Reuters)