Ukraine Under Attack: North Korean Missiles Powered by Western Parts
Ukraine is facing a new wave of Russian ballistic missile attacks, and a surprising detail has come to light. Many of these missiles, about one-third, are North Korean-made but depend on Western-made components to function. This shocking revelation highlights the loopholes in global sanctions and raises questions about how these parts are being obtained.
How Western Parts Power North Korean Missiles
North Korean missiles use advanced circuits and electronics that are manufactured in Western countries like the United States, Canada, and Europe. These components make the missiles accurate and operational. A report by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) found that more than 250 companies supply parts used in North Korean weapons. However, the majority of these components are distributed by just five major companies, all based in North America.
Despite strict sanctions, these parts find their way to North Korea. Experts believe middleman distribution companies, not manufacturers, are responsible for this illegal trade. Ukrainian officials and organizations like CAR are urging governments to regulate these distributors more strictly to close the supply chain.
Poor Enforcement of Sanctions
Ukraine’s government has criticized Western nations for weak enforcement of sanctions. According to Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s commissioner for sanctions policy, no manufacturers or distributors have faced serious consequences for their role in supplying components found in missiles. “If companies were held accountable for their parts being used in weapons that harm civilians, they would take action to prevent it,” Vlasiuk stated.
The U.S. Commerce Department has recently intensified its efforts to target companies that help ship sanctioned goods to Russia and Belarus. However, more needs to be done to track and regulate these transactions.
How Russia Uses North Korean Missiles in Ukraine
Russia has launched about 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles at Ukraine this year. These missiles account for nearly one-third of the 194 ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine in 2024. These attacks have killed 28 people and injured 213, according to Ukrainian officials.
In recent months, Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles and drones while reducing its reliance on cruise missiles. The KN-23 missiles are less advanced than other weapons but still deadly. North Korea’s growing support for Russia also includes sending around 11,000 soldiers to assist in the conflict.
Tracing Missile Components
Ukrainian investigators have been analyzing missile debris to understand how these weapons are built. In a warehouse filled with damaged drones and missiles, experts found that 70% of the electronic components in North Korean missiles are Western-made. These include parts from companies in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Some of these components were manufactured as recently as 2023, indicating a fast supply chain. While some parts are genuine, others may be counterfeit and produced in China. Weapons-tracing experts believe Chinese companies play a major role in transporting these components to North Korea.
“We traced some components back to Chinese firms, but it’s hard to know how they ended up in North Korea,” said Damien Spleeters from CAR. Manufacturers themselves are often unaware that their products are being diverted for military use.
The Need for Stricter Controls
Organizations like CAR and Ukraine’s Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) are calling for stricter controls on the export of electronic components. Many manufacturers and distributors fail to keep detailed records or conduct audits, making it easier for parts to be diverted to countries like North Korea and Russia.
Some companies argue that monitoring their supply chains more closely would be too expensive. However, experts say ignoring these issues allows sanctioned countries to continue building deadly weapons.
The Impact on Ukraine
The use of North Korean missiles in Ukraine has brought devastation to cities and towns. Civilian buildings, including homes and schools, have been destroyed. The missiles’ Western-made guidance systems make them highly accurate, turning them into powerful tools of destruction.
Ukraine’s air force has been working hard to intercept these attacks, but the sheer number of missiles poses a significant challenge. Officials believe shutting down the supply chain of components is crucial to reducing these attacks.
