Russia received missiles from North Korea for its strikes on Ukraine: White House

The White House has confirmed that North Korea supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and missile launchers, which were utilized in recent attacks on Ukraine, marking a significant and worrisome escalation, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

During a briefing, Kirby revealed recently declassified intelligence indicating that North Korea had delivered ballistic missile launchers and multiple ballistic missiles to Russia. Russian forces reportedly deployed at least one of these ballistic missiles into Ukraine on December 30, with it landing in an open field in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Kirby emphasized that although a Russia-Iran deal had not been finalized, the United States is actively concerned about the progressing negotiations for Russia to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran. The Biden administration has consistently argued that the Kremlin relies on North Korea and Iran for the weaponry needed in its conflict with Ukraine, disclosing intelligence findings to support these claims.

Both North Korea and Iran face international isolation due to their nuclear programs and human rights records. In October, the White House reported that North Korea had delivered over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia.

The historical ties between Russia and North Korea trace back to the founding of North Korea in 1948 when Soviet officials installed Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, as the country's first ruler. This revelation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics influencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.