NEW YORK: Russia has vehemently rejected accusations that it employed North Korean ballistic missiles in the conflict against Ukraine.
The allegations surfaced during a UN Security Council meeting, where the US, Ukraine, South Korea, and Japan accused Moscow of violating international sanctions. The US envoy, Robert Wood, reiterated claims that Russian forces utilized North Korean short-range ballistic missiles between late December and early January, aiming at several Ukrainian cities.
However, Russia’s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, refuted these allegations, emphasizing the necessity of thorough fact-checking before disseminating information. The envoy pointed out that the head of Ukraine’s air force initially stated an inability to confirm Russia’s use of North Korean missiles.
ALSO READ: Russian Strike Injures 11 in Ukraine
South Korea and Japan joined the condemnation, supporting the notion that Russia and North Korea engaged in a ballistic missile trade that violated sanctions resolutions. South Korea’s Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook underscored the potential global repercussions, expressing concern that the use of these missiles in Ukraine could provide the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) with military insights, encouraging further arms exports.
While several Security Council members focused on the DPRK-Russia missile trade, China maintained a neutral stance, advocating for a political settlement and de-escalation in the conflict. The joint statement issued by the U.S. and seven other countries strongly condemned Russia’s procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles, citing blatant violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Concerns persist about the broader implications of this alleged missile trade, adding complexity to an already fraught geopolitical landscape.
