Zelenskyy says Russia using North Korean missiles in Ukraine
Russia and North Korea have been collaborating in the offensive against Ukraine since 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of utilizing North Korean ballistic missiles in their assault on Ukraine, as another night of bombing resulted in at least nine civilian deaths and numerous injuries. Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces employed ballistic missiles provided by North Korea during an attack on Zaporizhzhia, a southeastern Ukrainian city where six individuals were confirmed dead and 19 sustained injuries.
Additionally, three more fatalities, including a 15-year-old boy, were reported in the central Dnipropetrovsk region due to Russian drones and artillery. Zelenskyy disclosed that Russia has procured further ballistic missiles from Pyongyang and is poised to deploy additional North Korean forces. In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership pact that entailed mutual assistance in case of aggression.
Reports have surfaced of Ukrainian soldiers engaging with North Korean counterparts since their agreement. Zelenskyy cautioned that the enhancement of North Korea's missile capabilities through their collaboration with Russia heightens the risk to countries in the region, such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. In December 2024, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that over 1,000 North Korean troops were involved in the conflict.
In January 2025, Ukraine announced its first-ever capture of two wounded North Korean soldiers. Ukraine claims Russia is increasing its ballistic missile production to compensate for its scarcity of Patriot air defense interceptors capable of countering these missiles. Furthermore, Ukraine asserts that Moscow is preparing to augment its mobilization efforts on the front line, which extends 775 miles across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized that all of Russia's actions—bolstering ballistic missile production, integrating North Korean equipment, and preparing for mobilization—indicate Moscow's intent not for peace, but for escalation.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
