Russian forces launched missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities on Tuesday, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and injuring more than 60 people, according to Ukrainian officials. In the aftermath, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea in the attacks.
The large-scale aerial assault targeted multiple regions across the country. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that strikes hit residential areas, causing significant damage. Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, confirmed casualties in the city and stated that rescue operations were underway.
In the capital city of Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that several districts were affected. The city’s military administration said air defense systems were engaged and that falling debris from intercepted missiles caused fires and damaged buildings, including a kindergarten and residential structures. Fatalities and injuries were also reported in Pavlohrad in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region.
Following the strikes, President Zelenskyy released a statement asserting that Russia had deployed weapons sourced from North Korea. While Ukrainian and U.S. officials have previously made similar allegations, Zelenskyy’s comments reiterated the claim in the context of the recent attacks.
In his public address, Zelenskyy also commented on the broader security implications of North Korea’s alleged military support for Russia. He stated that by using its weapons in the conflict, North Korea is gaining practical combat experience and refining its military technology. He added his view that this development could present a future challenge to regional stability, specifically referencing South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
The Russian Ministry of Defence issued its own statement, saying its forces had carried out a “group strike” using high-precision, long-range weapons against Ukrainian facilities involved in the production of military equipment, including missiles and explosives. The ministry claimed that all designated targets were hit and that the objectives of the strike were achieved. Moscow has not publicly commented on the specific allegations of using North Korean weaponry. North Korean state media has previously denied transferring arms to Russia.
