CNN reports that the missiles used by Russia against Ukraine are based on designs created in the USA and Europe.

Analysis of fragments from North Korean missiles employed by Russian occupiers in strikes against Ukraine indicates that they contain a significant number of Western components. These are manufactured in the USA and European countries.

This information comes from RBK-Ukraine citing CNN.

Russia's Strikes on Ukraine with North Korean Missiles

A representative from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported that since the beginning of 2024, Russia has launched approximately 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles at the country.

According to estimates from Western media, this accounts for nearly one-third of the total 194 ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, a "surge in ballistic missile attacks" was recorded in August and September.

According to Yuri Ignat, the acting head of the Air Force’s Public Relations, since spring, Russia has "significantly increased its use of ballistic missiles and strike drones against Ukraine." However, he noted that the use of cruise missiles has decreased.

The Attorney General of Ukraine told CNN journalists that as a result of strikes using North Korean missiles this year, at least 28 people have died and 213 have been injured.

Remnants of North Korean Missiles Reveal Western Components

The publication states that Ukrainian officials provided CNN access to fragments of enemy missiles. They demonstrated "an obvious degree of American and European manufacturing schematics or developed schematics in their guidance systems."

A recent report from the Ukrainian Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NACO) indicates that key components used in North Korean missiles are produced by 9 Western manufacturers, including companies based in the USA, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Some parts of the KN-23/24 missiles analyzed by experts were manufactured only in 2023.

Andrei Kulchytsky, head of the Military Research Laboratory at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, noted that "everything that works to control the missile, to make it fly - all of these are third-party components."

"All the electronics are foreign. There is nothing Korean in it. The only Korean part is the metal, which rusts quickly and is prone to corrosion," he added.

A source from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNN that "the overwhelming majority of components" in these North Korean missiles are Western.

"About 70% are American, from well-known companies... They also use components made in Germany and Switzerland," said the intelligence representative.

A report by the British research organization Conflict Armament Research (CAR), released earlier this year, stated that 75% of the components in one of the first North Korean missiles used to strike Ukraine were from American companies.

How Western Schematics and Electronics End Up in North Korean Missiles

According to arms monitoring experts, there is no reliable information on how Western components end up in North Korea. However, they add that all signs indicate that China is a likely supply channel.

According to CAR, there are over 250 companies whose components have been found in North Korean missiles. But most of this electronics is sold to 5 main distributors located in the United States and Canada.

CAR has urged Western politicians to focus more efforts on regulating these distribution companies.

"Ukrainian officials claim that one of the main problems is the poor enforcement of sanctions by Western countries," CNN's publication states.

According to a representative of the Ukrainian military intelligence, components are also being redirected to Iran and directly to Russia.

"Russia uses Western components across the board in both lethal weapons and reconnaissance drones," the GUR representative told CNN.

He also noted that the downing of one of the heavy Russian drones "Hunter" showed that it is predominantly made from American components.

Recall that on October 20, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that numerous recently manufactured Western components were found in the North Korean KN-23/24 missile used by the Russian Federation to attack Ukraine.