Ukraine has experienced a significant increase in Russian ballistic missile attacks, with approximately one-third of them utilizing North Korean weapons that rely on Western circuitry, obtained despite sanctions, as per Ukrainian military officials. This year alone, Russia has launched around 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles at Ukraine, accounting for nearly 33% of the 194 ballistic missiles fired in 2024. The months of August and September witnessed a surge in ballistic missile attacks, coinciding with Ukraine's public disclosure of the use of the KN-23 missiles.
Ukrainian officials have revealed that the North Korean missiles are equipped with crucial components produced by nine Western manufacturers, including companies from the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Fragments from the wreckage of these missiles have been examined, indicating the extensive presence of US- and European-made circuitry in their guidance systems.
Investigations conducted by Ukrainian authorities have uncovered that a significant portion of the components in the North Korean missiles are of Western origin, with an estimated 70% being American, along with contributions from companies in Germany and Switzerland. Reports have highlighted that 75% of components in one of the initial North Korean missiles used in attacks on Ukraine originated from US-based companies.
While the exact route of these components into North Korea remains unclear, experts suggest that China likely serves as the conduit for their transfer. Chinese companies have been identified as the last known custodians of some of these components, having acquired them from manufacturers and intermediaries.
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of stringent enforcement of sanctions by Western nations, allowing for the proliferation of Western components in weapons used against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for increased control over the illicit trade and urge policymakers to regulate distribution companies that play a key role in the diversion of components to sanctioned entities.
The US Commerce Department has intensified efforts to target entities involved in shipping sanctioned goods to Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian authorities stress the importance of holding manufacturers accountable for the supplies reaching sanctioned entities, advocating for stricter compliance practices and monitoring of distributors to curb the flow of Western components to hostile nations.
Furthermore, intelligence reports indicate that Western components are also being diverted to Iran and directly to Russia, underscoring the broader challenge of preventing the misuse of advanced technologies in conflict zones. Efforts are underway to address these supply chain vulnerabilities and enhance oversight to prevent the unauthorized transfer of critical components to entities engaged in hostile activities.
