During the attacks on January 6, Russian troops once again launched several DPRK-made ballistic missiles at Ukrainian territory.

John Kirby, Coordinator of the US National Security Council, stated this at the briefing.

He pointed out that last week, the United States reported the first Russian launches of missiles delivered from the DPRK.

According to the United States, Russian troops used them during a missile attack against Ukraine on December 30, and about ten North Korean missiles were fired on January 2 during shelling in Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities.

“On January 6, Russian troops once again launched several North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukraine. We are still assessing the consequences of these strikes, but we can confirm that at least one of them hit Kharkiv,” Kirby reported.

He noted that Russia is forced to seek military equipment from accomplices due to sanctions and export restrictions.

“One of these states is the DPRK. And as I reported last week, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea recently provided Russia with launchers and several dozen ballistic missiles. Since then, Russia has deployed these missiles against Ukraine,” Kirby stated.

Condemnation

The Coordinator of the US National Security Council noted that Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, supported the joint statement of 47 foreign ministers condemning Russia’s purchase of North Korean ballistic missiles and the use of these weapons against Ukraine.

“As the statement clearly outlines, the transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia’s aggressive war, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime, and our government jointly resolutely opposes these arms supplies between the DPRK and Russia,” Kirby added.

He stressed that Russia’s receipt of ballistic missiles directly from the DPRK violates numerous UN security resolutions, and on Wednesday, January 10, the United States, together with its allies, will raise the issue of “these arms agreements at the UN Security Council.” They will, Kirby said, once again demand that Russia be held accountable “for violating the international obligations it has signed.”

“We will also continue to sanction those who work to facilitate the transfer of such weapons and to make public information exposing these arms deals,” Kirby said.

Ukrainian investigators first officially announced that Russia could have used a North Korean-made ballistic missile to shell Kharkiv on January 6, providing evidence of the wreckage.