In a startling turn of events, North Korean ballistic missiles have been utilized by the Russian military in their offensive against Ukraine. This marks the first instance of such weaponry being employed in the ongoing conflict, confirming earlier claims made by the United States on January 4.
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Confirmation from Ukrainian Official
Mykhailo Podolyak, a close aide to the Ukrainian President, publicly affirmed the use of North Korean missiles by Russia. In a statement on January 5, he declared, “There is no longer any disguise…as part of its outright genocidal war, the Russian Federation for the first time struck at the territory of Ukraine with missiles received from…North Korea.”
U.S. Intelligence Report and White House Statement
Backing these claims, the top spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council (NSC), John Kirby, asserted in a press conference that Russian forces had indeed fired North Korean-made short-range ballistic missiles at Ukrainian targets. The statement was based on a credible intelligence report obtained by Washington.
Missile Launch Details
According to Kirby, on December 30, 2023, Russian forces launched at least one North Korean ballistic missile into Ukraine, landing in the Zaporizhzhia region. Subsequently, on January 2, multiple North Korean missiles were launched as part of an overnight aerial attack, with ongoing assessments of the impacts of these additional strikes.
Russia’s Strategic Move
The revelation comes amidst a series of massive missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine, starting from the last days of 2023. Analysts had long speculated about potential arms deals between Russia and North Korea, considering their historical alliance.
Arms Deal Background
Experts had predicted Moscow’s potential need for artillery shells and anti-tank missiles, and Siemon Wezeman from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute suggested that North Korea might have supplied Russia due to its large stockpiles of ammunition.
South Korean Claims and Allegations
Reports from South Korea in November suggested that North Korea had provided Russia with short-range ballistic missiles as part of a broader arms sale. Satellite imagery allegedly showed shipments from North Korea to Vladivostok in Russia, though both sides have denied these claims.
Russia-Iran Nexus
Following the use of North Korean missiles, there are reports of Russia seeking ballistic missiles from Iran. Kirby addressed concerns that Russia is pressuring Iran to supply more short-range ballistic missiles, a worry that had intensified in the previous year.
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Arsenal
Iran’s formidable arsenal of ballistic missiles offers Russia various options for potential acquisition. Despite speculations, Ukrainian officials admitted that Tehran was hesitant about the transfer of missiles due to diplomatic pressure from the West.
Motivations Behind Missile Acquisition
Experts suggested that beyond the depletion of Russia’s missile stock, the acquisition from Iran may be driven by concerns about Ukraine’s Western-origin missile defense systems, which are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
The deployment of North Korean missiles by Russia in the Ukrainian conflict represents a significant escalation. The potential acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran adds another layer to the evolving dynamics of the conflict, raising global concerns about the widening scope of the war.