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Zelensky Claims Russia Utilizing North Korean Missiles in Escalating Conflict

As the war of attrition intensifies, Kyiv alleges Moscow is relying on Pyongyang for military reinforcements while both sides trade deep-strike attacks.

Foreign PolicyPublished August 11, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Firefighters work at the site of a car garages of residents which were hit by an overnight Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to spiral, with President Volodymyr Zelensky asserting that Moscow is now reliant on North Korean military support to maintain its offensive operations.

According to Ukrainian officials, recent strikes in Zaporizhzhia, which resulted in seven fatalities and at least 24 injuries at the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant, involved ballistic missiles allegedly supplied by Pyongyang.

While Zelensky warned that the integration of North Korean missiles and soldiers into the Russian military poses a global threat, he did not provide specific evidence to substantiate these claims.

The Ukrainian government has previously alleged that Russia has fired dozens of North Korean missiles since the invasion began in 2022 and claims that up to 50,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces, including in the Kursk region. As the front lines remain volatile, both nations are escalating their deep-strike strategies.

Ukraine recently claimed a successful hit on a petrochemical plant in western Siberia and has repeatedly targeted logistics hubs belonging to the retailer Wildberries in Russia. These actions follow a deadly Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian republic of Tatarstan, which resulted in at least 13 deaths, including a child.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure and urban centers, with recent attacks causing power outages in Kherson and Kharkiv.

Amidst the ongoing violence, the Ukrainian Air Force has cautioned against media sensationalism regarding air defense capabilities, even as the country faces a relentless barrage of drones and missiles.

Tags

ukrainerussianorth-koreaforeign-policywar

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