Russia continues to shell Ukraine with ballistic missiles from North Korea - White House
Photo: White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby (Getty Images)
The United States has evidence that Russian forces have been launching ballistic missiles produced by North Korea in peaceful cities of Ukraine over the past few days. This was stated by the White House National Security Council Coordinator, John Kirby, during a briefing at the White House.
"Our information indicates that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles. Since then, Russia has employed these missiles against Ukraine over the past week," noted the White House representative.
He reminded that the United States had already reported on the first known launch by Russia of a North Korean ballistic missile towards Ukraine on December 30. On January 2, the aggressor launched about ten missiles targeting Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities.
"Then, on January 6, Russian forces again launched several North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine. We’re still assessing the impacts of these additional missiles," emphasized Kirby.
Considering these facts, he announced that the United States has joined a joint statement by the heads of foreign affairs of 47 countries, condemning the export from the DPRK and the purchase by Russia of North Korean ballistic missiles, as well as the use of these weapons in Ukraine.
The White House representative also emphasized that the United States will continue to impose sanctions on anyone facilitating the illegal transfer of weapons to the Russian aggressor.
At the same time, Kirby underscored that the most effective assistance to Ukraine from the United States would be the prompt passage by Congress of a new aid package for Ukraine.
"Russia is relying upon its friends to replenish its military stockpiles and enable its war against Ukraine. Iran and the DPRK are standing with Russia. Ukrainians deserve to know that the American people and this government will continue to stand with them. So, it’s critical that Congress meets this moment and responds by providing Ukraine with what they need to defend themselves. The time for Congress to act is now," stated the White House representative.
Missile attacks on Ukraine
Over the past week, the Russian Federation has significantly intensified attacks on cities in Ukraine, utilizing ballistic missiles.
On December 30, the aggressor launched missiles at Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. As a result of the attack in Zaporizhzhia, 9 people were killed, and in Dnipro, 6 people lost their lives.
On January 2, Russia fired 99 missiles of various types and 35 Shahed kamikaze drones at Ukraine. The main targets of the strikes were Kyiv and Kharkiv. The aggressor launched 12 Iskander-M/S-300/S-400 ballistic missiles across the country, as well as 10 air-launched ballistic missiles Kh-47M2 Kinzhal.
Later, the prosecutor's office of the Kharkiv region reported that during the shelling of Kharkiv on January 2, Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile.
According to experts, North Korea possesses several short-range ballistic missiles in its arsenal. One of them is an analog of the Russian Iskander missile.
