Russia Invades Ukraine
The North Korean Missiles Russia Is Using Against Ukraine
- By Amos Chapple
As Kyiv struggles to counter deadly Russian missile strikes, Ukrainian officials say Moscow is once again using North Korean weaponry to hit cities in Ukraine. Here are the missiles that Pyongyang is reported to have supplied for Russia's war.
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A firefighter (center left) works under the light of a burning building after strikes on Zaporizhzhya on August 11.
A missile and drone attack on the city included a strike on a metalworking plant that killed seven people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in the Zaporizhzhya strikes.
A missile and drone attack on the city included a strike on a metalworking plant that killed seven people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in the Zaporizhzhya strikes.
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If the Zaporizhzhya attack is confirmed to have included North Korean missiles, it will mark a resumption of Pyongyang’s weaponry being fired into Ukraine from Russia. This January 2024 image shows the remnants of what Ukraine later identified as a North Korean missile after it impacted a site in the eastern city of Kharkiv.
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In an April 2026 report, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry identified two models of North Korean ballistic missiles it says have been used against Ukraine. According to the report, those missiles are the Hwasong-11A and Hwasong 11B, known under US naming conventions as KN-23 and KN-24 missiles, respectively.
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A July 2019 photo of a KN-23 ballistic missile undergoing tests in North Korea.
The KN-23 is a vehicle-launched missile similar in appearance to Russia’s Iskander, but Ukraine’s military forensics analysis concluded that the weapons “are not direct copies of Soviet/Russian models.” The Ukrainian report describes them as being some 50 percent longer than Iskanders, allowing them to achieve a similar range despite using less efficient fuel.
The KN-23 is a vehicle-launched missile similar in appearance to Russia’s Iskander, but Ukraine’s military forensics analysis concluded that the weapons “are not direct copies of Soviet/Russian models.” The Ukrainian report describes them as being some 50 percent longer than Iskanders, allowing them to achieve a similar range despite using less efficient fuel.
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KN-23 missiles paraded on their launch vehicles in Pyongyang in July 2023.
The KN-23 missile is believed to carry a warhead of some 500 kilograms and have a range of up to 600 kilometers. The weapon features fins that enable it to swerve in flight, complicating the work of interceptor missiles. Ukraine’s forensic analysis of the weapon found that the missile was made using outdated production techniques resembling those used some 50 years ago.
The KN-23 missile is believed to carry a warhead of some 500 kilograms and have a range of up to 600 kilometers. The weapon features fins that enable it to swerve in flight, complicating the work of interceptor missiles. Ukraine’s forensic analysis of the weapon found that the missile was made using outdated production techniques resembling those used some 50 years ago.
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The second model of missile used by Russia against Ukraine is reportedly the KN-24, pictured here during tests at an unknown date.
The KN-24 resembles the US ATACMS system in form and role. It was first tested in 2019 and features an estimated range of around 400 kilometers. Pyongyang describes the missile as a “tactical guided weapon.”
The KN-24 resembles the US ATACMS system in form and role. It was first tested in 2019 and features an estimated range of around 400 kilometers. Pyongyang describes the missile as a “tactical guided weapon.”
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KN-24 systems pictured during a parade in Pyongyang in January 2021.
KN-24s are reportedly able to “pull up” near the final phase of flight to orient and evade air defense systems. The missiles are believed to carry warheads of 400-500 kilograms.
KN-24s are reportedly able to “pull up” near the final phase of flight to orient and evade air defense systems. The missiles are believed to carry warheads of 400-500 kilograms.
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Ukrainians lay flowers at the site of what Ukraine says was a Russian-launched North Korean missile strike on a residential area in Kyiv in April 2025 that killed several people.
According to the Institute For The Study Of War (ISW), Russia paused its use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine last year due to issues with accuracy.
According to the Institute For The Study Of War (ISW), Russia paused its use of North Korean missiles against Ukraine last year due to issues with accuracy.
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A photo released in December 2025 showing a missile production facility in North Korea that appears to include KN-23 missiles.
According to the ISW, recent reports that Russia has returned to using North Korean projectiles may indicate it is “testing the missiles" after working with Pyongyang to improve them over the past year.
According to the ISW, recent reports that Russia has returned to using North Korean projectiles may indicate it is “testing the missiles" after working with Pyongyang to improve them over the past year.
