NewsWorld newsNorth KoreaZelensky appeals for better defences after Putin launches North Korean ballistic weapons at civilians - and officials brand July the worst in years for missile attacks imposed on civilians11:59, 12 Aug 2026Ukraine is coming under attack from deadly North Korean ballistic missiles newly supplied to Russia amid fears Pyongyang is being further sucked into the war. The entry of Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles into Vladimir Putin's invasion also come with fears Kim Jong Un is sending even more of his troops to the frontline to help his Kremlin ally. And Ukraine has announced July was the deadliest month for civilians in two and a half years with at least 634 civilians killed in strikes on civilian infrastructure.‌More than 4,590 people were injured, with around 30% of the fatalities recorded in Russia or occupied Ukrainian territories. In a new onslaught two people were killed last night in strikes set off by North Korea’s conflict in Kherson as Zaporizhzhia was also hit by the new weapons. Russia struck a shopping center in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia overnight, a day after a deadly missile attack on the city that included North Korean-supplied ballistic weapons.‌‌The latest strike caused extensive damage to a store, while overnight Russian attacks also killed two women in Kherson. Vladimir Putin and Kim signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2024 that pledged mutual aid if either country faced aggression. Since then it is believed thousands of North Korean troops have entered the front and Kyiv’s troops have taken several prisoner. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his advisors have handed the US fresh proposals for peace as he appealed for better air defences.He said in his nightly address: “There was a report from our negotiating team. We passed our proposals to the American side. America can help strengthen our defence, first and foremost through air defence, and it can put pressure on Russia so that its plans change – from prolonging the war to preparing to end it.” Ukraine has run desperately short of US-made Patriot missiles, needed to intercept Kremlin ballistic missiles whose speed and steep trajectory make it difficult to shoot them down.Article continues belowThere is also growing concern that North Korea could be using Ukraine as a testing lab to try out new missile technology, putting its neighbours in danger. Zelensky said: "The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region."Every step Russia takes — increasing ballistic missile production, bringing in North Korean equipment, preparing for mobilization — all of this shows that Moscow is preparing not for peace, but for escalation.” Washington is continuing efforts to revive negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to engage both Kyiv and Moscow.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Jared KushnerKim Jong-unVladimir PutinSoldiersNorth KoreaVolodymyr ZelenskyKim Jong