North Korean missile used in Kyiv attack contained at least 116 foreign components, mostly American

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a North Korean ballistic missile that Russians used to kill civilians in Kyiv on April 24 contained at least 116 components imported from other countries, with most manufactured by US companies.

“The investigation into all the details about the missile is ongoing. However, it is already clear that it was a ballistic missile from North Korea. The lack of sufficient pressure on Russia allows it to import such missiles and other weapons, and to use them here, in Europe. The lack of sufficient pressure on North Korea and its accomplices enables, in particular, the production of such ballistic missiles. The missile that killed civilians in Kyiv contained at least 116 components sourced from other countries – and most of them, unfortunately, were manufactured by American companies,” Zelenskyy pointed out.

He thanked Ukraine’s partners for helping protect civilian lives, supplying air defense systems and missiles, and maintaining pressure on Russia and its accomplices over the war.

The President of Ukraine reiterated that Kyiv insists on Moscow’s immediate and unconditional agreement to a full ceasefire.

“Ukraine agreed to President Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in the skies, at sea and on the front lines 45 days ago. We offered to make it comprehensive and to extend the ceasefire that could have been established on Easter. We also made a direct proposal to Russia to at least halt strikes on civilian targets. Russia rejects all of this. That is why this cannot be resolved without pressure. Pressure on Russia is necessary. Ending the killings is the first priority,” he stressed.

On April 25, 2025, search and rescue operations at the site of one of the Russian strikes on Ukraine on April 24 were completed. The attack killed 12 civilians in Kyiv and injured nearly 90 others.

More than 30 people remain in hospital, some with severe injuries and amputations.

UK Defence Intelligence has analysed the latest large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the night of Thursday 23-24 April.

UK intelligence noted that the attack involved strategic aircraft, bombers, Black Sea Fleet ships and ground-based systems.

The Russians have mainly targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv. Other Ukrainian cities were also attacked that night.

The update stated that this combination of munitions almost certainly aimed to complicate and saturate Ukrainian Air Defence efforts. It further reported that the Ukrainian Air Force announced intercepting 112 munitions and disrupting others through electronic warfare.

UK intelligence has noted that Kh-101 cruise missiles remain Russia’s primary weapon for conducting large-scale strikes.

The update says that the recent 30-day ceasefire in the energy sector enabled Russia to replenish its stockpile, which had only been used twice since early March.