“Experts conducted an analysis of fragments of North Korean missiles with which the Russian Federation attacks Ukraine. American and European production schemes were found in the guidance systems. CNN writes about it. Ukraine has been hit by a surge in Russian ballistic missile attacks, a third of which are North Korean weapons that can fly only because they operate on a Western scheme obtained despite sanctions, the Ukrainian military said. This year”, — write on: ua.news
Experts conducted an analysis of fragments of North Korean missiles with which the Russian Federation attacks Ukraine. American and European production schemes were found in the guidance systems.
CNN writes about it.
Ukraine has been hit by a surge in Russian ballistic missile attacks, a third of which are North Korean weapons that can fly only because they operate on a Western scheme obtained despite sanctions, the Ukrainian military said.
This year, Russia launched about 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles over Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense noted.
In August and September, there was a surge of ballistic missile attacks, when Ukraine spoke publicly for the first time about the use of the KN-23.
“Ukrainian officials have provided CNN with access to fragments of weapon debris that show an obvious degree of American and European-made or engineered designs in their guidance systems,” the statement said.
According to a recent report by the Ukrainian Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NACO), key components found in North Korean missiles are produced by 9 Western manufacturers, including companies based in the United States, the Netherlands and Britain. Some parts of the KN-23/24 missiles they analyzed were manufactured as recently as 2023. This indicates the possibility of fast delivery to North Korea.
“Everything that works to control the rocket, to make it fly, are all foreign components. All the electronics are foreign. There is nothing Korean about it. The only thing that is Korean is the metal, which quickly rusts and corrodes,” he said. Andriy Kulchytskyi, head of the military research laboratory of the Kyiv Research Institute of Forensic Expertise.
An intelligence officer of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted that the investigation is hampered by damage to the missile fragments, but it can be determined that the vast majority of components are Western. Probably 70% of the components are American, from well-known companies, and the rest are components made in Germany and Switzerland.
Weapons experts added that there is no verified information on exactly how the components are getting to North Korea, but all signs point to China being the likely channel, experts said.
“We have successfully traced some of these components, and the last known custodians are Chinese companies. This means that the Chinese firms bought the components from manufacturers and a number of middlemen. The transition rarely happens at the factory that makes the components,” said Damien Splitters, deputy director of of CAR operations, which is engaged in independent documentation of diverted weapons.
CAR maintains a policy of “not naming or shaming” specific manufacturers, as there is no evidence that the firms intentionally sent parts to North Korea.
“Some parts of these components may actually be fake and made in China. But we cannot be 100% sure,” said Victoria Vyshnivska, a senior researcher at NAKO.
One manufacturer was able to provide NACO with evidence that a low-cost electronic component found in a North Korean missile was counterfeit.
CAR said there are currently more than 250 companies whose components have been found in North Korean missiles, but most of these electronics are sold to five main distributors located in the United States and Canada.
Policymakers in the CAR have been urged to focus more efforts on regulating these distribution companies.
Western components were found in the North Korean KN-23/24 missile shot down by air defense forces over Ukraine, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiga, said earlier.
North Korea sent missiles and men to Russia for the war against Ukraine. In exchange, the DPRK asked Moscow for technologies for tactical nuclear weapons, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov said.
All insider information and current information on our Telegram channel, as well as bonuses and breaking news.