In one of the most alarming developments of the ongoing war, reports claim that Russia has used North Korean–supplied missiles to carry out a massive barrage against Ukrainian military bases, with as many as 74 missiles launched in a single coordinated strike.
The attack, which took place overnight, targeted Ukrainian logistics hubs, ammunition storage depots, and air defense sites. Ukrainian officials confirmed multiple impacts and said emergency crews were working to contain fires and rescue trapped personnel.
North Korean weapons in Russia’s war
Western intelligence agencies have long warned that Pyongyang has been secretly supplying Moscow with large stockpiles of artillery shells, drones, and short-range ballistic missiles in defiance of international sanctions.
- Analysts believe this strike represents the largest deployment yet of North Korean-made missiles in Ukraine.
- Satellite imagery and fragments recovered from impact zones are being examined to confirm the origin of the weapons.
- If verified, the attack could mark a new phase in Russia’s war strategy — relying on allied regimes for bulk firepower.
Ukraine’s response
Ukraine’s Air Force said that while some missiles were intercepted by Western-supplied Patriot and NASAMS systems, the sheer volume of 74 missiles made it difficult to stop them all. Several bases sustained damage, with reports of destroyed vehicles, cratered runways, and explosions in nearby fuel depots.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the strike “proof that Russia has become a terrorist state dependent on North Korea and Iran for survival.” He urged the United Nations and NATO to treat the strike as evidence of a growing international threat.
Global reaction
The U.S. State Department condemned the use of North Korean weapons in the conflict, calling it a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Washington and European allies are expected to push for new sanctions against Pyongyang and possible penalties against Russia’s international backers.
Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan expressed “grave concern” that North Korean missile technology is now being tested in real-world war conditions — potentially strengthening Pyongyang’s weapons programs through battlefield feedback.
What it means going forward
- For Ukraine: The strike highlights the urgent need for additional Western air defenses and ammunition supplies.
- For Russia: It reveals the Kremlin’s growing reliance on foreign partners to maintain the intensity of its war.
- For the world: It underscores how the Ukraine war has evolved into a wider geopolitical conflict, pulling in rogue states and testing the boundaries of global security.
