Russia strikes Ukraine with North Korean missiles for the first time

(Patria) - Russia struck Ukraine with missiles supplied by North Korea for the first time during its invasion, a senior Kyiv official said on Friday, confirming an earlier claim by the US White House, Reuters reported.

The statement on X followed the governor of the northeastern Kharkiv region saying his region was hit by missiles fired by Russia that were not of Russian production.

"There is no longer any disguise... As part of its outright genocidal war, the Russian Federation for the first time struck at the territory of Ukraine with missiles received from North Korea," said senior Kyiv official Mykhailo Podolyak.

There is no longer any disguise... As part of its outright genocidal war, the Russian Federation for the first time struck at the territory of #Ukraine with missiles received from... North Korea. The masks are completely off. The #Moscow regime is no longer concealing its…

— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) January 5, 2024

Earlier on Friday, the Kharkiv regional governor said missiles produced outside Russia were fired at the province in late December and early January.

Although the United States did not want to specifically say what type of missile Pyongyang sent to Russia, US spokesman John Kirby said they have a range of about 900 km. He released a graphic showing KN-23 and KN-25 short-range ballistic missiles.

In November, South Korean authorities said North Korea may have supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia as part of a larger arms deal that also included anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, artillery and mortar shells, and rifles.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have previously denied making any arms deals, but last year they pledged to deepen military relations.