Ankara: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asserted that preliminary data suggests Russia employed a North Korean ballistic missile in its latest assault on Ukraine.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy revealed through a statement on Dubai-based Telegram that experts are currently examining the missile deployed in the attack on Radushne village. Initial evaluations imply the involvement of a North Korean-manufactured weapon. Zelenskyy emphasized that further investigations will be conducted to verify these findings.

Zelenskyy accused North Korea of enhancing military collaboration with Moscow, alleging that Pyongyang is providing Russia with missiles and personnel. He highlighted Ukraine's urgent need for additional air defense missiles, focusing on interceptors for Patriot systems and other Western-supplied air defense systems. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine requires concrete support in the form of missiles for air defense, beyond mere expressions of sympathy and condemnation.

In response to these allegations, Russia maintains that Ukraine has no grounds to criticize Moscow for utilizing foreign weapons, as Kyiv predominantly relies on foreign arms in its defense efforts. The military relationship between Russia and North Korea has seen expansion in recent years, contributing to the complexity of the ongoing conflict.