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North Korea Increases Delivery of KN23 ballistic missiles to Russia for Use in Ukraine.
In a revelation, nearly one-third of the ballistic missiles deployed by Russia against Ukraine in 2024 were KN-23 ballistic missiles manufactured in North Korea. This information was reported by CNN, citing Ukrainian Air Force data and analysis by independent investigative bodies.
One-third of the ballistic missiles deployed by Russia against Ukraine in 2024 were KN-23 ballistic missiles. (Picture source: North Korean MoD)
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia has employed approximately 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles out of a total of 194 ballistic missiles launched against Ukraine as of November 23, 2024. This represents a marked increase in the use of ballistic missiles and strike drones by Russia since the spring, as confirmed by Yuriy Ignat, acting head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command. Cruise missile strikes, in contrast, have significantly decreased.
Ukrainian military experts, including researchers from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, are examining the remnants of KN-23 missiles recovered after Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory. Preliminary findings indicate that key components of these missiles were sourced from foreign manufacturers, predominantly in Western countries.
A report by the Ukrainian Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NACO) revealed that nine Western companies, including manufacturers in the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, produced critical components for these missiles. Notably, some parts analyzed were manufactured as recently as 2023, suggesting swift delivery of these components to North Korea despite international sanctions.
The British investigative group Conflict Armament Research (CAR) corroborated these findings. CAR analyzed a KN-23 missile fragment recovered in Kharkiv in January 2024, identifying over 290 foreign-made electronic components. Among these were 50 unique models produced by 26 companies across eight countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan.
The analysis revealed that 75% of the documented components were linked to U.S.-registered companies, 16% to European firms, and the remaining 9% to companies based in Asia. These components encompassed critical electronic systems necessary for the missile's operation, including navigation and control systems.
Andriy Kulchytskyi, head of the Military Research Laboratory of the Kyiv Forensic Expertise Institute, highlighted the dependence of the KN-23 missile on foreign electronics, stating, "Everything required to operate the missile and make it fly relies on foreign components. All the electronics are of non-Korean origin. The only element North Korean in origin is the metal casing, which shows signs of rapid corrosion."
The KN-23 is a short-range tactical ballistic missile designed by North Korea, widely used by the country and more recently by Russia. Weighing approximately 3,415 kg, the missile measures up to 9.8 meters in length and can be equipped with a 500 kg warhead capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear payloads. Powered by a solid composite propellant, the KN-23 has a range of 450 km in its initial version and up to 600 km in an enhanced version. Its accuracy is ensured by an inertial navigation system (INS) and potentially a satellite navigation system. The missile is transported and launched from an unarmored transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) truck, making it a mobile and relatively easy-to-deploy weapon on the battlefield.
This evidence underscores the challenges of enforcing international sanctions designed to prevent the proliferation of advanced military technology to states like North Korea. The presence of Western-manufactured components in North Korean weapons highlights potential loopholes in global supply chains and the urgent need for stricter oversight.
The deployment of North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles by Russia against Ukraine marks a concerning trend in the ongoing conflict, illustrating the interconnected nature of global arms manufacturing and supply chains. The findings expose vulnerabilities in international sanctions regimes and underscore the importance of concerted global efforts to prevent the misuse of advanced military technologies.