North Korea will “pay a heavy price” for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles that it launched at Ukraine, the British government has vowed, as it condemned the deal as a sign of Putin's “desperation”.
Moscow has acquired Pyongyang's weapons as the country struggles to replenish its arsenal for the protracted war in Ukraine, which has suffered heavy casualties during nearly two years of bitter fighting.
Unveiling the newly declassified intelligence on Thursday, Washington described it as “a significant and worrying escalation,” adding that Putin is also trying to replenish Iranian missiles.
Kim Jong Un's regime is said to have supplied several launchers and ballistic missiles, one of which was fired into Ukrainian territory on December 30 before further North Korean missiles were fired into Ukraine on the night of January 2.
More of these missiles, with a range of about 900 km, are expected to be launched in the coming days.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia on September 13, 2023
North Korea fired a hypersonic missile at Pyongyang on January 5, 2022
North Korea is expected to receive Russian military hardware and training in exchange for the ballistic missiles, which could have serious security implications for South Korea and the Indo-Pacific region.
Last night the FCDO said: 'The UK strongly condemns Russia's decision to use these ballistic missiles and we urge North Korea to stop its arms supply to Russia.
“We will work with our partners to ensure that North Korea pays a heavy price for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.
“This is symptomatic of Russia's isolation on the world stage and a sign of its desperation.
“This activity violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions – which Russia supported as a permanent member.”
The missile fired on December 30 had a limited impact, with Kirby telling Thursday's press conference that “luckily it only made a hole in a field.”
He said the impact of the missiles used several days later was still being assessed.
“We expect Russia to use additional North Korean missiles to attack Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and kill innocent Ukrainian civilians,” he added.
A woman speaks on the phone while standing amid the rubble of a high-rise residential building on January 3, 2024 in Kiev
People stand in the courtyard of a residential apartment building damaged after a Russian missile attack on Kiev on January 2, 2024
White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby shows how North Korean ballistic missiles were fired into Ukraine by Russia
The US believes that an agreement between Russia and Iran on supplying further ballistic missiles to Vladimir Putin has not yet been finalized.
But, he added, Washington is “concerned that Russian negotiations to acquire short-range ballistic missiles from Iran are actively progressing.”
Iran has already supplied Russia with attack drones, which have been used extensively throughout the war with devastating consequences.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on July 19, 2022
A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile is being prepared for a test launch
The White House says the Kremlin has become dependent on North Korea and Iran for the weapons it needs to continue its war against Ukraine.
In October, US officials said North Korea had delivered more than a thousand containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia.
North Korea and Iran are themselves largely isolated on the international stage because of their nuclear programs and human rights records.
Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator, traveled to Russia in September to meet Putin and visit key military sites.