KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Russia used North Korean-made ballistic missiles in overnight strikes on Ukraine, including attacks targeting the capital, Kyiv, as he renewed calls for stronger sanctions and additional air defense support.In a statement posted on X following a coordination call with officials, Zelenskyy said technical assessments were continuing at sites struck by Russian ballistic missiles.“According to preliminary findings, at one of the key energy facilities that was damaged, the Russians used KN-23 missiles manufactured and supplied by North Korea,” Zelenskyy said.He described the findings as “further proof that global sanctions regimes need to be significantly strengthened.”Zelenskyy said Russia launched 36 missiles during the overnight attacks, of which only four were intercepted, highlighting Ukraine’s continued shortage of interceptors for US-made Patriot air defense systems.He said the United States was “in the best position” to help address the shortage, adding that Kyiv was exploring ways to accelerate deliveries and communicate its urgent defense requirements to Washington.“This is especially important right now – not just ahead of winter, but also ahead of another joint effort with our partners to reinvigorate negotiations,” Zelenskyy said.He accused Russia of attempting to strengthen its negotiating position through military pressure ahead of a new round of US-mediated trilateral talks involving Ukraine and Russia, scheduled to begin Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.“We hope that the United States, like our other partners, will act on principle,” he added.Zelenskyy also said he had instructed Ukrainian Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi to work with local authorities to establish alternative transport routes and arrange additional transportation in Kyiv.He criticized the lack of contingency arrangements in the capital, saying such plans were “practically nonexistent at the city level.”The Ukrainian president said Kyiv was counting on additional European contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, alongside new energy assistance packages and deliveries to support the country’s logistics.Earlier Saturday, Ukraine’s Air Force said its defenses had intercepted 149 of 172 drones and four ballistic missiles launched during Russia’s overnight attacks, which were primarily directed at the Kyiv region.Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed carrying out what it described as a “massive” overnight strike on Kyiv, saying it targeted military-industrial, energy and transportation infrastructure, including the Pivnichnyi Bridge.Moscow claimed the facilities were being used to support Ukraine’s armed forces.The strikes came a day after Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence indicated that Russia was preparing attacks against the country’s energy infrastructure, bridges across the Dnieper River and civilian facilities.Neither Russia nor North Korea has commented on Zelenskyy’s allegation that North Korean-made missiles were used in the latest attacks.KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Russia used North Korean-made ballistic missiles in overnight strikes on Ukraine, including attacks targeting the capital, Kyiv, as he renewed calls for stronger sanctions and additional air defense support.In a statement posted on X following a coordination call with officials, Zelenskyy said technical assessments were continuing at sites struck by Russian ballistic missiles.“According to preliminary findings, at one of the key energy facilities that was damaged, the Russians used KN-23 missiles manufactured and supplied by North Korea,” Zelenskyy said.He described the findings as “further proof that global sanctions regimes need to be significantly strengthened.”Zelenskyy said Russia launched 36 missiles during the overnight attacks, of which only four were intercepted, highlighting Ukraine’s continued shortage of interceptors for US-made Patriot air defense systems.He said the United States was “in the best position” to help address the shortage, adding that Kyiv was exploring ways to accelerate deliveries and communicate its urgent defense requirements to Washington.“This is especially important right now – not just ahead of winter, but also ahead of another joint effort with our partners to reinvigorate negotiations,” Zelenskyy said.He accused Russia of attempting to strengthen its negotiating position through military pressure ahead of a new round of US-mediated trilateral talks involving Ukraine and Russia, scheduled to begin Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.“We hope that the United States, like our other partners, will act on principle,” he added.Zelenskyy also said he had instructed Ukrainian Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi to work with local authorities to establish alternative transport routes and arrange additional transportation in Kyiv.He criticized the lack of contingency arrangements in the capital, saying such plans were “practically nonexistent at the city level.”The Ukrainian president said Kyiv was counting on additional European contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative, alongside new energy assistance packages and deliveries to support the country’s logistics.Earlier Saturday, Ukraine’s Air Force said its defenses had intercepted 149 of 172 drones and four ballistic missiles launched during Russia’s overnight attacks, which were primarily directed at the Kyiv region.Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed carrying out what it described as a “massive” overnight strike on Kyiv, saying it targeted military-industrial, energy and transportation infrastructure, including the Pivnichnyi Bridge.Moscow claimed the facilities were being used to support Ukraine’s armed forces.The strikes came a day after Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence indicated that Russia was preparing attacks against the country’s energy infrastructure, bridges across the Dnieper River and civilian facilities.Neither Russia nor North Korea has commented on Zelenskyy’s allegation that North Korean-made missiles were used in the latest attacks.
Zelenskyy says Russia used North Korean missiles in overnight strikes on Ukraine
