Russia’s escalating aerial assaults in Ukraine fueled by North Korea

Jan 05, 2024

Ryan Robertson Anchor

By Ryan Robertson (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

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Russia’s aerial assaults on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine show no signs of stopping as the New Year unfolds. The attacks, escalating in intensity, have resulted in the loss of dozens of innocent lives and left hundreds more injured.

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The White House has expressed heightened concern, revealing that Russia is employing short-range ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea while actively pursuing additional acquisitions from Iran, posing a growing challenge for U.S. officials.

White House

National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby underscored the escalation, noting that the North Korean ballistic missiles being used have an operational range of approximately 550 miles.

A firefighter extinguishes remains of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities claimed to be made in North Korea, at a site of a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine January 2, 2024. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy — Reuters

Despite denials from Moscow and Pyongyang regarding any arms deals, Kirby presented new intelligence contradicting these claims. A map was introduced, outlining the alleged trajectory of a North Korean missile initially launched into Ukraine’s fiercely contested Zaporizhzhia region Saturday, Dec. 30.

The first attack targeted an open field, while the subsequent strike was part of a larger offensive.

Kirby further emphasized that in exchange for its support, Pyongyang is actively seeking various forms of military assistance from Russia, spanning fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, materials, and other advanced technologies.

These revelations pose multiple challenges for Ukraine and its Western allies. Currently deadlocked on a funding package for Ukraine, the U.S. faces Russia actively fortifying its own supplies despite ongoing international pressure and sanctions.

FILE - A drone is seen in the sky seconds before it attacked buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 17, 2022. The Russian military has been using the Iranian Shahed exploding drones to strike Ukraine's vital infrastructure for more than a year. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File) — Associated Press

Moreover, the intelligence suggests that Russia is not only advancing North Korea’s missile program but is also actively procuring missiles from Iran. Russia is also collaborating with Iran to manufacture Iranian-designed Shahed drones on Russian soil.

Kirby acknowledged that, at present, there is no evidence to suggest that Iran has delivered short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. However, the United States remains concerned about the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Iran regarding the acquisition of these missiles.

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the opening ceremony of the Vostok (East) M-12 motorway to Kazan, via videoconference, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Putin on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 signed a decree allowing for a quicker path to Russian citizenship for foreigners who enlist in the country's army amid the special military operation in Ukraine. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) — Associated Press

While Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to enhance Russia’s defense industry capacity, Washington and its allies are set to bring up the issue at the United Nations Security Council, highlighting it as a violation of U.S. sanctions against North Korea.

Russia’s escalating aerial assaults in Ukraine fueled by North Korea

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