Zelensky Accuses Russia of Using North Korean Missiles

Ukrainian President Zelensky claims Russia is utilizing North Korean missiles to strike Zaporizhzhia, amidst ongoing military confrontations.

Ukraine and Russia continue to engage in intense strikes, with President Volodymyr Zelensky alleging that Moscow is employing North Korean missiles for its attacks. The latest strikes occurred in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to at least 24 others, according to Ukrainian reports.

The conflict escalated further as Ukraine targeted warehouses of Wildberries, the largest online retailer in Russia, located in Voronezh. This marks a continuation of previous assaults on the company, often dubbed Russia’s Amazon, which has faced repeated attacks recently.

Zelensky remarked in a video address Monday evening that Russia’s reliance on assistance from North Korea has grown. “For the first time, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea,” he stated. He emphasized that an increase in North Korean missile usage in Ukraine not only endangers the region but the wider world as well. However, he did not provide evidence to support these claims.

This assertion is not unprecedented; previous allegations from Zelensky and other Western officials have pointed to Russia seeking military support from North Korea. According to the Ukrainian military, numerous North Korean missiles have been launched into Ukraine since Russia’s large-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Zelensky also voiced concerns over the potential deployment of as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers to assist Russian forces in combat. Reports indicate that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops were sent to help push Ukrainian troops back following cross-border incursions in the Russian region of Kursk back in August 2024. Western officials had reported at the start of the year that North Korean troops had suffered around 40% casualties within a few months of the ongoing conflict.

In this recent speech, Zelensky celebrated a significant success by the Ukrainian military, highlighting a successful air strike on a Russian petrochemical facility in western Siberia. He characterized this operation as a major achievement and vowed to continue conducting deep strikes targeted at Russia to illustrate the necessity for peace.

Photos shared by Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov depicted flames and destruction caused by Moscow’s missile strikes, which targeted key infrastructure. Tragically, all casualties were reported to be employees of the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant, which subsequently ceased operations.

The violence did not stop there, as the capital Kyiv also experienced attacks, resulting in one injury. Air raid sirens pierced through the night while explosions were reported on the outskirts of the city, prompting localized fires. Fortunately, a children’s hospital sustained damage but no injuries were reported, as both staff and patients were safely sheltering.

Additionally, a drone strike in the northeastern city of Sumy led to injuries for two women, with another deadly bomb strike reported in the afternoon claiming one life.

Strikes in Kherson and Kharkiv also caused significant power outages after substations were hit. Ukrainian officials revealed that Russia used 120 drones overnight, although they refrained from providing specific details on missile quantities fired or intercepted this time around.

The Air Force reiterated the need for media responsibility, urging journalists not to create sensationalized headlines or spread hopeless narratives regarding air defense shortages.

In the Voronezh region, alongside the strikes, there were reports of a fire and explosions at a logistics center owned by Wildberries, which is yet to confirm the independent attacks, stating that its nearby facilities were evacuated during the incident.

Earlier in July, drone attacks on Wildberries’ retail locations had caused significant disruption to various Russian businesses, targeting hubs believed to be supplying military equipment to the Russian army.

The recent attack on Tatarstan marked one of the most lethal assaults against Russia since the full-scale invasion commenced, resulting in at least 75 injuries, as Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed they targeted the Tanevo oil refinery in the city.

Social media verified footage depicted plumes of smoke and flames amidst the sounds of air raid sirens.