CNN: One-third of ballistic missiles used by Russia to attack are Korean KN-23

About one-third of the ballistic missiles that Russia used to attack Ukraine in 2024 were KN-23 ballistic missiles made by the DPRK.

CNN reported this.

During 2024, Russia used about 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles. This is almost a third of the 194 ballistic missiles used in 2024 as of November 23, as the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

An unnamed Ukrainian military source shared this with CNN.

“We see that since the spring, Russia has been using ballistic missiles and attack drones much more to strike Ukraine. And less use of cruise missiles,” Yurii Ihnat, Acting Head of Communications of the Ukrainian Air Force, told CNN.

Sanctioned components in DPRK missiles

According to a report by the Ukrainian Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, nine Western manufacturers produce key components used in North Korean missiles. These include companies from the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Some parts of the KN-23 missiles they analyzed were produced in 2023. This indicates that these components could be quickly delivered to North Korea.

This is also confirmed by the conclusion of the British investigation team Conflict Armament Research (CAR), which analyzed the remains of a North Korean ballistic missile found in Kharkiv.

Conflict Armament Research analysts determined that the KN-23 ballistic missile, manufactured by North Korea and launched by the Russian military at Kharkiv in January 2024, contains over 290 foreign-made electronic components.

CAR documented over 290 components, including 50 unique models. From the markings on these components, CAR identified 26 companies located in eight countries (China, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States) that were involved in the production of these components.

75% of the documented components found in the KN-23 missile are associated with companies registered in the United States. 16% are from companies registered in Europe, and the remaining 9% are from companies registered in Asia.

“Everything that works to control the missile and make it fly is all foreign components. All the electronics are foreign. There is nothing Korean about it. The only thing that is Korean is the metal, which rusts quickly,” Andrii Kulchytskyi, Head of the Military Research Laboratory of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, confirmed.