Russia’s North Korean Missiles Kill 10 In Ukraine As Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Sites

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 civilians on Tuesday, while Kyiv accused Moscow of using North Korean ballistic missiles in one of the deadliest strikes of the day.

The worst attack hit Zaporizhzhia, where seven workers at a steel plant were killed. Several others were wounded. Russia also struck parts of Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk. In Kyiv, a missile hit near a children’s hospital, while other strikes started fires and damaged buildings.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia used North Korean missiles along with Zircon missiles, drones and guided bombs. He said the attacks showed Moscow was getting more weapons from Pyongyang.

Russia did not confirm the use of North Korean missiles. Its Defence Ministry said it had targeted Ukrainian military sites, including logistics centres and a steel plant in Zaporizhzhia. Russia also said it shot down hundreds of Ukrainian drones during the night.

The strikes came after a deadly Ukrainian drone attack inside Russia. At least 13 people were killed and 39 wounded in Nizhnekamsk in Russia’s Tatarstan region. Ukraine said it hit the TANECO oil refinery, a major fuel site.

Ukraine also said it struck the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Russia’s Orenburg region on Tuesday. A fire was reported at the site. The refinery can process up to six million tonnes of crude oil a year.

The attacks highlight the growing role of North Korea in Russia’s war effort. Ukrainian intelligence says a North Korean missile unit of about 90 personnel is being sent to Russia with up to 120 missiles and six launchers.

North Korea has already sent around 14,000 to 15,000 troops to Russia since 2024, along with large amounts of ammunition and missiles. Zelenskyy has warned that Moscow could seek up to 30,000 more North Korean troops.