The North Korean KN-23/24 missile launched by Russia towards Ukraine in September contained components manufactured by at least nine Western producers, revealed the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission of Ukraine (NAKO) in its report published this week.
Microelectronic elements produced by companies from the USA, Switzerland, the UK, and the Netherlands were found in the North Korean missile that was shot down near the villages of Mîrne and Bilîki in the Poltava region, as shown in the report cited by Kiev Independent.
Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened their military cooperation as Russia seeks weapon resources in its large-scale war against Ukraine.
Thus, North Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles and large quantities of artillery shells.
According to the analysis of the Ukrainian NGO, some of the components found in the KN-23/24 missile were produced between 2021 and 2023. Most of the microelectronic components bear the markings of American companies, including Analog Devices Inc. and Broadcom Inc., added NAKO.
The non-governmental organization examined over 2,500 components found in 30 Russian weapons and equipment since the beginning of the invasion. Approximately 2,000 aircraft components were mainly supplied by the West, NAKO reports.
Russia has adapted to Western sanctions, using smuggling and various schemes to acquire products from the sanctions list.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Moscow intends to "effectively involve" Pyongyang in the war against Ukraine in the coming months, with approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers being prepared to join the Russian army.