In an assault on the city of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, seven workers lost their lives at a steel plant. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Moscow utilized North Korean ballistic missiles during the attack. The Zaporizhstal plant had to cease production after being struck by Zircon hypersonic missiles, guided aerial bombs, and ballistic missiles reportedly supplied by Pyongyang.
Following an air-raid warning, a ballistic missile hit the plant while employees were seeking shelter, as stated by the parent company Metinvest Group. The company confirmed seven fatalities and 24 injuries. The attack led to a complete stoppage of production at the plant, with other affected sites running at reduced capacity.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that Russian forces targeted a metallurgical plant in Zaporizhzhia that produces flat-rolled steel allegedly used by the Ukrainian military. Additionally, the ministry disclosed another strike on the Nova Poshta sorting complex in Kyiv, described as a facility for distributing dual-use goods, including drone components and electronic warfare equipment.
Although Russia did not immediately confirm the use of North Korean missiles in the Zaporizhzhia attack, there was no response from Pyongyang.
Ukraine’s Counterattacks
Overnight incidents in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions resulted in six deaths, with a Russian assault in Kyiv causing fires in the capital, according to Ukrainian officials. These events followed a Ukrainian drone strike in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, which reportedly killed at least 13 individuals and wounded 39. Ukraine also conducted a drone attack in Russia’s Voronezh region, resulting in one fatality, two injuries, and fires at warehouse facilities.
Kyiv has been targeting Russia with strikes on oil refineries and warehouses belonging to Wildberries, an online retailer. The latest strikes included an attack on an oil refinery in Orsk, Russia.
North Korea’s Involvement
Russia has launched numerous North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine since late 2023. The potential deployment of North Korean missile forces would further enhance the existing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Zelenskyy disclosed plans for 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops to assist Russia, underlining the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by both countries two years ago.
North Korea previously dispatched approximately 14,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk Region in 2024 in response to Ukrainian activities in the area. Apart from troops, North Korea has supplied Russia with various military equipment, including artillery, missiles, and rocket systems.
Russia has also employed Shahed attack drones, derived from Iran’s design, in its operations against Ukraine. In contrast, Ukraine has utilized missiles provided by allies such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and France.