Kremlin Refuses to Comment on Allegations of Using North Korean Missiles in Ukraine, Accuses Kyiv of Western-Made Missile Strikes
In response to accusations from the U.S. and Ukraine regarding the use of North Korean missiles in attacks on Ukrainian targets, the Kremlin opted for a “No comment” stance during a call with reporters on Tuesday. The White House had recently declassified intelligence asserting that Russia employed short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) sourced from North Korea for multiple strikes in Ukraine, a claim supported by a senior Ukrainian official.
While Moscow and Pyongyang deny engaging in arms deals, their closer ties have been noted since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Despite refusing to address the accusations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov shifted the focus, accusing Ukraine of utilizing missiles produced by Western nations, including Germany, France, Italy, and the United States, to target Russian locations.
The tensions escalated when Ukraine reportedly struck the Russian border city of Belgorod on December 30, resulting in over 20 casualties, including two children, and injuring 111, according to Russian media reports. The Belgorod region, situated near the northern Ukrainian border, has witnessed ongoing shelling and drone attacks throughout the year, predominantly blamed on Ukraine.
Since the large-scale deployment of Russian troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Moscow has consistently asserted that Western nations, particularly the United States, share responsibility for the consequences arising from supplying weapons to Kyiv.