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Model · Missiles / Ballistic missiles

KN-23: North Korean ballistic missile

KN-23: the North Korean ballistic missile Russia fires at Ukraine. Preliminary warhead and range estimates, and why it behaves like Iskander on the map.

Speed
~Mach 6
Warhead
500–​1,000 kg
Cost
~$5.2M

According to open sources; claimed and real figures may differ, and modifications may have others.

What it is

A North Korean short-range ballistic missile supplied to Russia by the DPRK. The exact missile type cannot always be established from the debris, so officially they are referred to as KN-23 and/or KN-24. According to a preliminary analysis by the Office of the Prosecutor General, as reported by Defense Express, the warhead is heavier than previously thought and the accuracy is low.

What it means for you

It behaves like the Iskander-M: a ballistic arc, only minutes of warning, no route on the map. Low accuracy means the missile can land far from its target. If there is a ballistic threat, go to a shelter immediately.

Specifications

Warhead
preliminary analysis: 500–1,000 kg TNT equivalent[1]
Range
up to 690 km (estimate for one of the versions)[1]
Speed
practically the same as the 9M723 Iskander-M[3][4]

What to do

  1. 1When you hear the “Air raid alert!” signal, go to the nearest shelter at once. Find out in advance where it is near your home and work.
  2. 2If you cannot reach a shelter, move to a room without windows and follow the “two walls” rule.
  3. 3Agree with your family on what to do and where to meet if the phone network or the power goes down.

A marker on our map may appear late or not at all. Go by the siren, not by the map.

State Emergency Service of Ukraine. What to do when the “Air raid alert!” signal sounds (in Ukrainian)checked 2 Oct 2026

How it looks on our map

Movement

No course

Marker lives

2–5 min

  • The marker does not rotate: for this type the map shows no course.
  • If there are no new reports about the target, the marker closes after 2–5 min.

Sources

  1. 1

    Defense Express

    Warhead of North Korean Missiles Weighs Up to 1,000 kg But the Fire Accuracy is Lowchecked 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2

    Forbes Ukraine

    A $200,000 “Shahed” and a pricey Kh-101: how much Russia's long-range weapons cost, according to HURchecked 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3

    OBOZ.UA

    Russia is stepping up missile strikes on Kyiv: what the enemy is betting onchecked 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4

    Suspilne Odesa

    Missile terror against Odesa: what makes strikes with ballistic and supersonic missiles distinctive and dangerouschecked 2 Oct 2026
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