ISTANBUL 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed late Thursday that Russia used a North Korean-made ballistic missile in the overnight attack on Kyiv, which killed 12 people and injured 90 others.

"According to preliminary information, the Russians used a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea. Our special services are verifying all the details,” Zelenskyy, who is currently on a state visit to South Africa, said in a statement on X.

He warned that, if confirmed, the use of such a missile would demonstrate the “criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang.”

Earlier, Ukraine reported that 10 people were killed and 90 others were injured in the Russian missile attack on the capital of Kyiv, but two more bodies were later discovered in the rubble of the collapsed infrastructure.

“Rescuers have recovered two more bodies from under the rubble in the Svyatoshynskyi district. We now have 12 dead,” Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on Telegram.

Tkachenko earlier said the attack injured 90 people to varying degrees, at least 12 of whom were children.

He added that the city's Holosiivskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Solomyanskyi, Obolonskyi, and Desnyanskyi districts had also been struck.

Ukraine's Air Force claimed that its air defenses intercepted 48 of 70 missiles and 64 of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight.

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

Zelenskyy said he canceled part of his visit to South Africa.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry announced a coordinated strike on Ukrainian aviation, missile, space, engineering, and armored industry companies, as well as facilities producing rocket fuel and gunpowder.

“The goals of the strike were achieved. All the targets were engaged,” it said, without elaborating.

Zelenskyy claims North Korean missile used in attack

Zelenskyy claimed that Russia used a ballistic missile likely manufactured in North Korea, which, if confirmed, would prove the "criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang."

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for global unity, stating on X: “No country in the world should be left alone to face such threats."

He added: “Even in the midst of international diplomatic efforts to end this war, Russia continues killing civilians. That means Putin is not afraid.”

“There must be a full and unconditional halt to the strikes, and Russia must agree to it,” he said.

Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has responded to the allegation of North Korean missile use.

The attack took place amid diplomatic efforts on potential peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.