North Korea denies Russia uses its missiles in war against Ukraine
North Korea has dismissed allegations of Russia using North Korean missiles in the war against Ukraine as unfounded.
North Korean Ambassador to the UN Kim Song's statement, published by the state news agency KCNA, comes after the latest report by US officials, confirmed by satellite footage, says the country has delivered over a thousand containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia, Rubryka reports.
In response to the world's condemnation of the illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Pyongyang's representative criticized the United States, praised Russia, and justified his country's relations with Moscow.
The United States initiated a UN Security Council meeting on January 10 to discuss the supply of missiles from North Korea to Russia. Song labeled this as an attempt by the United States to undermine the foundations of international peace and security, contrary to the principles of the UN Charter.
The North Korean diplomat reiterated the Russian propaganda narrative that the "Ukrainian crisis" is a result of confrontational US policy and interference with Russia's "reasonable and just security interests." According to him, "Washington will never escape responsibility" for this war.
Ambassador Song stated that North Korea had no connection to the topic of the UN Security Council meeting on January 10, stressing that its convening by the United States "reflects their dire situation" and is evidence of their "lack of strength and means in the strategic confrontation with Russia."
He also pointed out that North Korea's ties with Russia are "legitimate relations between independent sovereign states… based on respect for the principle of equality and the right to self-determination."
At least 47 countries strongly condemned North Korea and Russia for violating numerous UN Security Council resolutions when Russia unlawfully acquired ballistic missiles from Pyongyang and used them on peaceful cities in Ukraine.
Russia using North Korean ballistic missiles
White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby announced that Russia acquired ballistic missiles from North Korea and has already used them in strikes against Ukraine.
Soon after, ISW reported that Russia is intensifying efforts to obtain ballistic missiles from abroad, possibly because these missiles are more effective for penetrating or evading Ukrainian air defenses.
Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat stated that they cannot currently confirm information about the Russian army using North Korean ballistic missiles provided by North Korea.
Following the news of the supply of North Korean missiles to Russia, the United States called for a UN Security Council meeting.
Law enforcement agencies are working to identify the country of missile production used by the Russian Federation in the January 2 attack on Kharkiv. Two civilians in the city were killed as a result of the strikes. In Kharkiv, experts are examining the surviving tail part of the missile that Russia could have obtained from North Korea. Visually resembling the "Iskander," there are some technical differences, and experts note that the missile was not assembled with high quality.
On Thursday, January 11, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin confirmed on the air of Suspilne.Sprotiv that Russia is already using missiles from North Korea in the war against Ukraine.
