Kyiv accuses Moscow of deploying North Korean missiles in overnight strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky alleges use of ballistic and hypersonic weaponry in raids that have intensified hostilities across Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that Russian attacks across the country killed at least nine people and wounded dozens during the night of 11 August 2026. In the immediate aftermath, Kyiv accused Moscow of utilising North Korean missiles during the raid, marking a significant escalation in the nature of the weaponry deployed against Ukrainian infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the assault on the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia involved North Korean ballistic missiles, Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, and guided aerial bombs. These allegations suggest a deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, although the specific origins and types of munitions used remain based on Ukrainian claims and have not been independently verified by external bodies.
Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that the strikes in Zaporizhzhia resulted in five deaths and 20 injuries, with a separate incident in the region injuring nine others. Fires were reported in warehouses within the Shevchenkivsky district of Kyiv, while industrial and residential sites in Zaporizhzhia were also struck. The total casualty figures provided by Kyiv align with the preliminary reports from regional officials, though exact numbers may vary as assessments continue.
The overnight strikes targeted the capital, Kyiv, as well as the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. This latest wave of violence follows a deadly weekend of attacks and continues a recent escalation in hostilities. Russian forces had previously utilised missile and drone swarms against these areas earlier in the day, indicating a sustained and multi-vector offensive.
Civilian infrastructure remains a primary focus of the ongoing conflict, with the latest attacks adding to the mounting toll on Ukraine’s population. The use of hypersonic and ballistic missiles, as alleged by Ukrainian leadership, points to a shift in tactical approaches by Russian forces, aiming to overwhelm air defences and cause maximum damage to key urban and industrial centres.
