North Korean KN-30 missiles deployed by Russia in Ukraine

Russia has reportedly begun receiving the North Korean-made KN-30 ballistic missile for use in the conflict against Ukraine. This new weapon is a larger version of the KN-23, featuring a heavier warhead of approximately 2.5 tons and a range of 600 to 900 kilometers.

Analysts suggest the KN-30 allows Russia to strike deep into Ukrainian territory from within Russian borders. The increased payload capacity and range could potentially saturate Ukrainian air defenses when used alongside Russian Iskander-M missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted ballistic missiles as a critical challenge, noting that while many cruise missiles are intercepted, ballistic missile defense remains a severe vulnerability. He has reiterated requests for additional Patriot air defense systems to counter these threats.