North Korea Sends Several Dozen Ballistic Missiles to Russia

Reports have emerged that Russia has been provided with ballistic missiles and launchers from North Korea for use in its war with Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited U.S. government officials on the 4th (local time), stating that Russia recently began receiving short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea which has sent various weapons to Russia over the past few weeks.

In particular, the U.S. government sees a high possibility that North Korea has provided Russia with portable anti-aircraft missiles and short-range ballistic missiles which it had previously announced it would support. North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia last September where they discussed military cooperation between the two countries.

The military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is a result of Russia, which is at war with Ukraine feeling the limitations of its weapons production capabilities under international sanctions. As the war has been ongoing for nearly two years making it difficult to import weapons, Russia has chosen to receive weapons from its allies. As a result, North Korea’s short-range ballistic missiles have recently been sent to eastern Russia.

The U.S. government has expressed concern over the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. John Kirby, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House, said, “We expect Russia to use additional North Korean missiles to attack Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and kill innocent Ukrainian civilians.”

Additionally, the U.S. government has expressed concerns not only about the strengthening of Russia’s power but also about the possibility of North Korea and Iran, which are subject to Western sanctions, enhancing their military capabilities and receiving economic support from Russia due to strengthened military cooperation.

The Wall Street Journal revealed that Russia plans to purchase short-range ballistic missiles not only from North Korea but also from Iran. According to the Wall Street Journal, a Russian delegation visited Iran last month to inspect ballistic missile-related equipment including short-range Ababil missiles.