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Ukrainian media reported that Russian forces reportedly used North Korean missiles in recent strikes. According to unofficial military sources, on July 30, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched North Korean KN-23 ballistic missile on a target in the town of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The missile exploded in the air.
Ukrainian reports were supported by the footage of the alleged North Korean missile. Some markings in Korean language seen on the missile reportedly correspond to the markings found on the previously discovered wreckage of such missiles. Earlier, in January 2024, Ukrainian media shared another footage of the alleged wreckage of North Korean KN-23 (Hwasong-11Ga) discovered in Kharkiv. LINK
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The Russian army reportedly actively used North Korean KN-23 and KN-24 last winter, but there have been no reports about their deployment since then. If Ukrainian reports are true, the Russian military resumed the launches of KN-23.
Russia supposedly received KN-23 or KN-24 missiles. They are similar to the Russian Iskander-M missiles, and, therefore, can reportedly be launched from Russian missile systems. The launch weight of the KN-23 is 3.4 tons (400 kg less than that of the 9M723 rocket of the Iskander complex), the warhead is 500 kg, the confirmed launch range is reportedly 690 km ( 190 km more than that of the Iskander). The KN-24 is visually similar to the ATACMS, but the proven launch range is higher (410 km). According to Kirby, the range of the missiles received by Russia is allegedly up to 900 km.
