A Ukrainian military research institute has told NHK that Russia is believed to be using North Korean missiles mainly against civilian targets to break the will of Ukrainian citizens. It also said there is information that North Korea is providing launchers for the missiles.
NHK is the first foreign media to gain access to the Central Research Institute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The institute conducts scientific analyses of Russian weapons.
The institute says fragments of missiles that landed in the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv, on August 2 were confirmed to belong to a type of North Korean short-range ballistic missile, called the KN-23.
The institute is analyzing the performance of the missile by studying more than 20 engine and tank components. It believes a Japanese-made part was among those used.
A senior official of the institute said Russia has so far fired North Korean missiles at populated areas such as the Kyiv area and the eastern region of Kharkiv.
Noting that there has been no confirmed use of the missile against Ukrainian military facilities, the official said, “In our opinion, this is more of a weapon of intimidation” used mainly against civilian targets.
The official referred to information that North Korea provided its own launchers along with the missiles. He also said he thinks North Koreans are monitoring the launches onsite, possibly to collect data and improve the missile.
The official warned that this is an issue that could affect the security of the entire Northeast Asian region, including Japan.