ISW: Russia's North Korean-Supplied Missiles Could Threaten Kyiv and Six Other Regions

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has assessed that Russia continues to conserve stockpiles of ballistic and cruise missiles, including those supplied by North Korea, in order to use them in periodic mass strikes against Ukraine. Such strikes are designed to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense systems by launching large numbers of missiles within a short window, making interception more difficult.

According to ISW analysts, these missiles could threaten not only the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv but also six other regions of the country. The assessment suggests Moscow is likely to continue this approach — building up weapons reserves between attacks rather than deploying them continuously in smaller numbers.

North Korea's role

In recent years, North Korea has become one of Russia's key sources of military support during the war against Ukraine, supplying both ammunition and missiles. This cooperation has raised concerns in Western countries and in Ukraine about Russia's ability to sustain mass missile campaigns over the long term, despite international sanctions and efforts to constrain its defense industry.

Ukraine's air defense has long struggled to counter combined Russian strikes that mix different types of missiles with drone attacks. A pattern of infrequent but large-scale missile salvos makes it harder for defense systems to respond effectively and increases the risk that some missiles reach their targets.

The ISW assessment indicates this strategy is likely to continue in the near term, posing an ongoing threat to Kyiv and other regions across Ukraine.