Zelensky says Russia used North Korean ballistic missiles in strikes on Zaporizhzhia

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia used ballistic missiles from North Korea in strikes on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, as officials assessed damage and casualties from the latest round of attacks.

In a statement carried by BBC World on Aug. 11, Zelensky linked the weapon type to Russia’s ally, saying the missiles used in the strikes were North Korean ballistic missiles launched by Russia. He did not describe specific launch sites in the account.

The strikes hit in and around Zaporizhzhia, according to Zelensky’s description. He said the attacks killed at least six people and injured 19 others, figures that Ukraine’s authorities said were being confirmed and updated as rescue and recovery efforts continued.

The reporting also described the incident in the context of ongoing fighting in eastern and southern Ukraine, where both sides have used long-range strike systems. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of expanding the range and supply of weapons used against Ukrainian targets, including through cooperation with other states.

For residents in the affected area, the immediate stakes were public safety and emergency response. With multiple casualties reported, local services and first responders were expected to continue searching for additional victims, securing damaged sites, and assessing whether other areas were affected by the same raid.

Internationally, Zelensky’s attribution to North Korea adds to the diplomatic and security pressures already facing Russia and its backers. It also raises questions for monitoring and enforcement bodies about the movement and use of prohibited or tightly controlled missile technology in a conflict that has already triggered sanctions and export restrictions.

Ukraine is expected to continue presenting details of the weapon types used and the circumstances of the strikes as part of its broader efforts to document attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Additional information from Ukrainian officials on the timing, locations, and damage assessment could follow as investigators and emergency crews complete their work.