President Zelensky Claims Russia Used North Korean Missiles In Attack On Kyiv

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late Thursday claimed Russia used North Korea's ballistic missile in an attack on Kyiv, which killed 12 people and injured 90 others.

"According to preliminary information, Russia uses ballistic missiles produced in North Korea. Our special services are verifying all the details," President Zelensky said in a tweet on X.

He warned, if confirmed, the use of such missiles would indicate "the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang."

Earlier, Ukraine reported 10 people were killed and 90 others injured in Russian missile attacks in the capital Kyiv, but two more bodies were later found in collapsed infrastructure debris.

"The rescue team has found two more bodies from under the rubble in the Soywoodnskyi district. Now we have 12 people killed," said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram.

Tkachenko previously said the attack injured 90 people with various severitys, with 12 of the victims being children.

He added that Holosiivskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Solomyanskyi, Obolonskyi and Desnyanskyi districts in the city were also attacked.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed their air defenses intercepted 48 of the 70 missiles and 64 of the 145 unmanned aircraft launched by Russia.

President Zelensky wrote on X that he instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to immediately contact Kyiv partners regarding requests to strengthen the country's air defenses.

On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced coordinated attacks on Ukrainian airlines, missiles, space, engineering, and armored industries, as well as facilities that produce rocket fuel and powder.

"The purpose of the attack was achieved. All targets were attacked," the ministry said, without elaborating.

Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang responded to allegations of using North Korean missiles.

It is known that the attack took place amid diplomatic efforts regarding potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.