The White House, citing newly declassified intelligence, announced that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and launchers, some of which have been used in the ongoing war in Ukraine. US National Security spokesperson John Kirby disclosed this information during a press briefing, Reuters reported.
Kirby described this arms transfer as a “significant and concerning escalation” and stated that the US would respond with additional sanctions against those involved in these arms deals.
According to Kirby, recent intelligence reveals that “Russian forces launched at least one of these North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine,” although it appeared to have landed in an open field.
Furthermore, Kirby mentioned that while Iran has not yet delivered close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, the US believes that Russia intends to acquire missile systems from Iran.
This assertion aligns with earlier reports from The Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed US officials regarding Russia’s plans to purchase short-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
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