Characterizing this as a "significant and concerning escalation" in North Korea's support for Russia, Kirby added that Russia had launched several of these missiles Tuesday as part of an overnight attack on several Ukrainian cities. Kirby said the U.S. believes North Korea is seeking military assistance from Russia in return, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and “other advanced technologies.” He added that Russia is in talks to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran but that so far none have been delivered. Kirby said the U.S. believes North Korea is seeking military assistance from Russia in return, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armoured vehicles and “other advanced technologies.” He added that Russia is in talks to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran but that so far none have been delivered.
N. Korea Supplied Russia With Missiles For Ukraine Attacks: US
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on January 4, 2024, in Washington, DC
SAUL LOEBNorth Korea has provided Russia with ballistic missiles and missile launchers that were used in recent attacks on Ukraine, the White House said Thursday.
- The Pyongyang-supplied missiles with ranges of around 900 kilometers (550 miles) were fired by Russia in two attacks within the past week, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
- "Our information indicates that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several ballistic missiles," Kirby told reporters in a briefing at the White House.
- "This is a significant and concerning escalation of the DPRK's support for Russia."
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"It's critical that Congress meets this moment and responds by providing the Ukrainians what they need to defend themselves. The time for Congress to act is now," he said.
The development underscored the need for the US Congress to pass a package of vital military aid for Ukraine, without which the pipeline of support will soon run dry, Kirby added. Air defenses for Ukraine, which has come under a barrage of aerial attacks by Russia in recent days, were "absolutely" a priority, he said. . .
Russia also intends to purchase missiles from its ally Iran and talks are under way on the purchase of close-range ballistic missiles, he added.
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 arms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia's far east in September and met President Vladimir Putin, sparking concern among Kyiv's allies over the possibility of a potential arms deal.
Putin, who launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, promised to intensify strikes on Ukraine after an unprecedented attack on the Russian city of Belgorod over the weekend.
Kyiv says the latest attacks underline the need for Western allies to speed up delivery of air defense equipment, combat drones and long-range missiles.
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