Ukraine Accuses Russia of Using North Korean Missiles in Deadly Attack

Ukrainian officials announced on Tuesday that Russian military forces utilized North Korean ballistic missiles, including Zircons, to strike Zaporizhzhia, resulting in at least seven fatalities. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed, "The city was struck with North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircons." Overnight assaults throughout Ukraine led to a reported 10 deaths and numerous injuries, as stated by Kyiv. This claim follows Zelensky's prior caution—without evidence—regarding Moscow's acquisition of additional ballistic missiles and troops from North Korea. For over four years, Russia has depended on North Korean assistance, with thousands of North Korean troops sent to aid in countering Ukrainian efforts in the Kursk region. Intelligence from Western nations, Ukraine, and South Korea has consistently accused North Korea of providing arms to Russia. In his evening address, Zelensky also mentioned that Ukraine had shared proposals with US negotiators aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia, stating, "We have conveyed our proposals to the American side."