White House Spokesman Kirby Explains Use of North Korean Missiles in Ukraine Conflict

AFP White House spokesman Kirby explains the North Korean missiles

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 21:04

Russia is now using North Korean ballistic missiles in the war with Ukraine, the White House says. The Americans rely on released information from intelligence services.

A North Korean missile was launched in Ukraine on Saturday, but the US said it did not hit a target. On Tuesday, several of these missiles were fired by the Russian army at night. It is unclear whether they caused any damage or casualties. The US says it is still investigating this.

Washington has been warning for some time that Russia is receiving large supplies of artillery ammunition and missiles from North Korea. But to date there have been no reports that these weapons are also being used in the war in Ukraine. The missiles currently in use would have a range of more than 880 kilometers.

Ukrainian airstrike on Crimea

Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out air strikes on Crimea today. According to the air force, a Russian command post in Sevastopol was hit. Targets were also bombarded in the more northern coastal town of Yevpatoria.

One person was injured by shrapnel in the port city of Sevastopol, the Russian-appointed governor said. He calls the attack “the most serious in recent times”.

The Russian Defense Ministry says 10 Ukrainian missiles were downed by anti-aircraft missiles near Crimea. It is unclear how much damage the Ukrainian attack caused. According to Russian state media, the attack was repelled. However, fragments of rockets or debris may have caused damage.

‘Thank you pilots’

A Ukrainian air force commander posted a photo of rising plumes of smoke on social media. It was said to have been made near Sevastopol in the aftermath of the attack. “Thanks to the air force pilots and everyone who planned the operation for perfect combat work,” Reuters news agency quoted from a Telegram message from the commander.

Six days have passed since major Russian attacks killed at least 30 people. Ukraine said it was the largest airstrike since the outbreak of war almost two years ago.

A day later, a Ukrainian retaliatory attack on the city of Belgorod in Russia followed. Russian authorities report this at least 25 people were killed in those shellings.

Record number of drones

On Sunday night, Russia fired a record number of drones into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military. These attacks mainly targeted port infrastructure and residential areas.

According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Russia has fired more than 500 drones and missiles into Ukraine in five days.

2024-01-04 20:04:53
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