US Accuses Russia of Using North Korea Ballistic Missiles in Ukraine
The US has accused Russia of using ballistic missiles and launchers supplied by North Korea in its war on Ukraine.
National security council spokesman John Kirby, speaking during a white house press briefing on Thursday, called it a “significant and concerning escalation” relating To North Korea’s support for Russia.
He said the US would raise the matter at the UN Security Council and impose additional sanctions on those working to facilitate arms transfers.
Mr. Kirby said Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles from North Korea was a direct violation of numerous UN security council resolutions.
He also said the US believed Russia was planning on purchasing close-range missiles from Iran, but that it had not done so yet.
The UK said it “strongly condemns” Russia’s use of ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea in Ukraine.
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Russia has denied any such collaboration.
The United States said in October that North Korea had delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia, but it was the first time it had reported the use of such weapons.
Ukraine has substantially boosted its air defence systems compared to last winter, when systematic Russian strikes on energy infrastructure left millions in the cold and dark for extended periods.
Ignat’s response to the White House’s claims on Friday came hours after Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had repelled a Ukrainian attack over Crimea, shooting down 36 drones over the peninsula annexed in 2014.
Kyiv has struck the Russian-controlled territory throughout the war, launching missiles and drones at Sevastopol, Crimea’s largest city, in a bid to suppress Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet.
