KN-23
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North Korea tests new KN-23 variants; analysts link them to evading Patriot air defenses
On September 20, North Korea conducted new tests of KN-23-type ballistic missiles reaching altitudes of 60–70 km. Analysts suggest the experiments are aimed at helping the missiles better evade Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian outlet Defense Express published its analysis on September 22, framing the tests as relevant to Russian strikes on Ukraine using North Korean weapons.
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Russia mass-launches repurposed training missiles from S-400 systems against Ukraine
Russia has sharply increased its use of RM-48U missiles — originally built for air-defense crew training — against Ukraine, launching them from S-400 systems. The repurposed missiles accounted for more than half of all Russian ballistic and hypersonic strikes in July, according to the General Prosecutor's Office, while the use of precision Iskander missiles dropped sharply. Analysts say the strategy aims to exhaust Ukraine's air-defense interceptors and conserve Iskander, KN-23 and Zircon missiles for a winter campaign.
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Russia strikes Ukraine overnight with 167 drones and missiles; passenger train attacked near Kherson
On September 5, Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles and 167 drones, about half of them jet-powered. Around midday the same day, Russian forces struck a passenger train heading to Kherson with several Shahed-type drones, injuring two people and damaging two diesel locomotives. The overnight attack was the largest in a series of escalating strikes hitting civilian infrastructure.