Russia fires North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine, White House confirms
John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator (Photo: Getty Images)
Russia has purchased ballistic missiles from North Korea, which have already been used to strike Ukraine, according to a briefing from White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby.
Kirby has stated that the range of ballistic missiles purchased by Russia from North Korea is 900 kilometers.
"On December 30, 2023, Russian forces launched at least one of these North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine. This missile appears to have landed in an open field in the Zaporizhzhia region. And on January 2, Russia launched multiple North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine, including as part of its overnight aerial attack," Kirby has said.
Photo: Trajectory of the North Korean ballistic missile flight on December 30
The White House National Security Council Coordinator further adds that Russia is in talks to acquire ballistic missiles from Iran.
Against this backdrop, Kirby called on Congress to approve over $60 billion in new aid funding for Ukraine.
Background
North Korea is an ally of Russia in the war against Ukraine, providing military assistance to the aggressor country.
Western media previously reported that North Korea supplied Russia with 152mm artillery shells and Katyusha rockets at the end of September.
In November, reports emerged that Pyongyang provided Russian forces with a million artillery shells.
South Korean military sources also suggested that North Korea might have transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.
