Russia resumes use of unreliable North Korean ballistic missiles
After a break of several months, the Russians have resumed bombarding Ukrainian cities with KN-23 ballistic missiles. The Ukrainians remain unsure why the invaders ceased using these missiles for an extended period. However, they speculate it might be related to the low quality of this North Korean weaponry.
On Sunday, 11 August, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that within the past week, the Russians had launched four North Korean ballistic missiles. Debris analysis identified all of these as KN-23 ballistic missiles (also known as Hwasong-11Ga).
KN-23 ballistic missiles in service of the Russians
Due to its specifications, this weapon is frequently compared to Russian Iskanders. In theory, it offers a range of up to 640 kilometres. These are solid-fuel ballistic missiles. Each one measures approximately 9 metres in length and weighs around 3,400 kilogrammes.
American intelligence reported some time ago that Russia could have received an unspecified number of North Korean ballistic missiles as early as October 2023. The last documented use of these missiles before the several-month hiatus was on 27 February. The attacks using KN-23 ballistic missiles were resumed by the Russians only on 31 July this year, continuing into early August.
Low quality of North Korean missiles
According to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express, two potential reasons for the five-month break in the Russian use of KN-23 ballistic missiles were suggested. One potential reason could be the desire to develop a new tactic (e.g., deploying this weapon in specific, generally massed attacks on important targets, such as Kyiv). The other reason might be the low quality of the North Korean missiles and the necessity of inspecting and refining them.
Previously, Ukrainian analysts had estimated that up to half of the North Korean missiles fail to reach their targets. Some exhibit considerable deviations, while others malfunction in the air. The command of the Ukrainian Air Force also contends that the ally is supplying Russia with defective weapons.
Regarding the Russian attacks with North Korean missiles, the following can be stated: "KN-23 ballistic missiles, although they rarely reach the desired targets, pose a serious threat to the population," the command of the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement.
