Tracking organization claims Russia uses North Korean ballistic missile containing US, European components

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - A ballistic missile recovered in Ukraine's city of Kharkiv was produced by North Korea using over 290 non-domestic electronic components, the UK-based Conflict Armament Research (CAR) claimed on Wednesday.

The UK-based organization that specializes in working with governments to find out how weapons end up in war zones said in its report that the scrutiny of missile remnants unveiled components primarily from the US, manufactured within the last three years.

The missile recovered in Kharkiv on Jan. 2 showcases recently produced components, with 75% manufactured between 2021 and 2023, while 16% of them were made by companies in Europe, and 9% in Asia, it said.

According to the report, CAR identified 26 companies from eight jurisdictions linked to these components' production, noting that due to the ongoing collaboration with industry partners, it cannot publicly name these entities.

The report emphasized that Iran, North Korea, and Russia are dependent on the global semiconductor industry for critical military production components, and also stressed the challenge of regulating the export of commercial electronic components.

CAR claims that the data obtained makes it possible to accuse North Korea of circumventing international sanctions in obtaining international materials, posing a challenge to the global non-proliferation regime.

The research emphasizes the importance of field documentation, monitoring, and the broader challenge of regulating commercial semiconductor exports.

The global nature of the semiconductor industry raises concerns for export control and sanctions compliance in other member states, it said, pledging to continue the documentation of North Korean ballistic missiles and report on any new findings in arms recovered in Ukraine.