Russia fires North Korean missiles at 'key' Ukrainian energy facility, Zelenskyy says

Russian forces launched North Korean missiles at a key Ukrainian energy facility on Saturday night, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attacks came as Zelenskyy urged allies to expedite the delivery of interceptor missiles. Preliminary assessments indicate that one of the targeted facilities utilized KN-23 missiles, a short-range ballistic missile supplied by North Korea.

Zelenskyy reported that Russia had launched 36 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and its surrounding region, with four being intercepted. The KN-23 missile, with a range of approximately 690 km, is a North Korean short-range ballistic missile that has been previously employed in attacks on Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly provided over 16,000 troops and munitions to support Russian forces since October 2024, and both leaders signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in June of that year.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that these strikes targeted critical energy infrastructure as Russia escalates its winter campaign. Zelenskyy also suggested that the attacks may be part of a Kremlin strategy to pressure Ukraine's negotiating position ahead of upcoming trilateral talks with Moscow and Washington in Abu Dhabi.

The overnight strikes in the Kyiv region resulted in at least six injuries, including a child, and caused damage to a bridge and energy facilities. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the Pivnichnyi Bridge was hit, and energy infrastructure in the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions was also affected, leading to disruptions in heating and water supply systems.