According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, around half of the North Korean missiles launched by Russia on Ukraine have malfunctioned and exploded in midair. This information was provided to Reuters and indicates that North Korea has been supplying Russia with missiles, artillery shells, and other weaponry to aid in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea deny these allegations. The failure rate of North Korean missiles used in the conflict is reported to be high, with debris examined from missiles fired between December and February.
In September 2023, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit in Russia’s Far East. After this meeting, the U.S. claims that North Korea began sending missiles and artillery to Russia. The United Kingdom also provided satellite images to UN experts showing North Korean cargo shipments to Russia, leading to calls for an investigation into potential violations of international sanctions. The Office of Ukraine’s top prosecutor, Andriy Kostin, stated that investigators have examined debris from 21 ballistic missile cases they believe were manufactured by North Korea and fired at various regions in Ukraine.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine reported that out of the 50 North Korean missiles allegedly fired by Russia, many were launched from regions in Russia such as Belgorod, Kursk, and Voronezh. Three of these missiles were reportedly fired directly at the capital city of Kyiv, with others targeting regions including Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, and Poltava. The statement from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office did not specify if any of the examined missiles had been intercepted by Ukraine’s air defenses, as ballistic missiles are typically difficult to intercept due to their speed and trajectory.
Ukrainian authorities are currently investigating whether Pyongyang dispatched instructors to monitor the ballistic missile launches in Ukraine. The statement from Kostin’s office did not confirm if such instructors were present. It is unclear if North Korea’s involvement in supplying weapons to Russia violates any international agreements or sanctions. The U.S., South Korea, and other countries have accused North Korea of aiding Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, while both Russia and North Korea deny these allegations.
The news of malfunctioning North Korean missiles used by Russia in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine highlights the complex web of international relations and alliances. The high failure rate of these missiles indicates potential issues with the reliability of North Korean weaponry and raises questions about the extent of North Korea’s involvement in conflicts outside its own borders. As investigations continue, the true extent of North Korea’s role in supplying weapons to Russia and the impact of these missiles on the conflict in Ukraine may become clearer. The involvement of North Korea in international conflicts adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
