North Korean missiles pose new threat to Ukraine's defenses
North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, which were initially prone to malfunctions, have become a significantly greater threat in recent weeks. Experts believe this improvement is due to modifications made based on experiences from their use against Ukrainians.
Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, a former Ukrainian military pilot and current aviation expert, noted the increasing effectiveness of North Korean weapons. He explained that the North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles are now capable of maneuvering during the final stage of flight, making them harder to intercept by air defense systems, including advanced American Patriots.
KN-23 ballistic missiles increasingly threatening to Ukraine
The Ukrainian expert believes that the KN-23 ballistic missiles have been significantly improved since the initial attacks carried out by the Russians over the past several months. He attributes this to the effects of close military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, benefiting both sides. The Russians can attack Ukrainian cities more effectively, while the North Koreans enhance their weapons based on war experiences, not just test ranges, which alarms not only Ukraine but also South Korea and Japan.
"Although the precision of the strikes remains low, the missile can now evade air defenses, making it a serious threat. It’s about the last 18 miles, which such a missile covers in just 3 to 5 seconds. At this range, Patriot systems usually engage, but when the enemy missile maneuvers, it becomes extremely difficult," Khrapchynskyi said on Kyiv24 television.
Missiles with high destructive power
The KN-23 ballistic missiles were used during the attack on Sumy, which the Russians carried out on April 13. Khrapchynskyi believes this is another example of the Russians' deliberate actions aimed at "causing as many civilian casualties as possible."
KN-23 ballistic missiles are solid-fueled constructions that, due to their size and range, are compared to Russian Iskanders. They are about 25 feet long and weigh over 6,600 pounds, with 1,100 pounds allocated to the warhead. They enable attacks on targets approximately 370 to 435 miles away.
In November of last year, a CNN report indicated that about one-third of all ballistic missiles used by Russia to attack Ukraine in 2024 are precisely the North Korean KN-23s.
