Russia's repeated use of North Korean ballistic missiles in Ukraine.

Russia has reportedly utilized North Korean missiles in Ukraine on about 50 occasions, with one incident officially confirmed in Kharkiv on January 2, as stated by Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office. During a press conference, Filchakov disclosed that a short-range ballistic missile, the KN-23 or Hwasong 11, hit 1 Nezalezhnosti Avenue in their region, a fact corroborated by national and international expert conclusions. Additionally, two other suspected cases of such missile use have been reported, pending official confirmation following ongoing investigations.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The SBU presented debris of what looked like a KN-23 ballistic missile in February 2024(Picture source: SBU )

The missiles, described as being of poor quality and made from inferior metal, have an imperfect control system and a flight range of about 700 km, significantly exceeding the 250 km range of Iskander missiles. Filchakov also noted that these North Korean missiles frequently explode in midair.

Kharkiv experts, after examining the surviving tail section of a missile, found that although it visually resembles the Iskander missile, significant technical differences exist. Serhiy Bolvinov, head of the Investigative Department at the State Police Department in the Kharkiv region, mentioned that Ukrainian experts have become adept at identifying these North Korean missiles.

According to White House spokesperson John Kirby, this missile transfer violates UN sanctions imposed on North Korea. Over 1000 containers of military equipment and ammunition were allegedly delivered to Russia by North Korea. In return, Pyongyang seeks Russian military equipment and technologies for its aviation program and space and nuclear ambitions.

The growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea raises concerns, especially following a meeting between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. Russia is also looking to purchase missiles from Iran, adding another layer to the already complex situation. Potential Iranian missiles could include locally produced Scuds and the Dezful missile, with varying ranges and accuracy.

Defense News March 2024