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The White House has confirmed that Russia recently launched ballistic missiles into Ukraine, supplied by North Korea, marking a “concerning escalation” of Pyongyang’s involvement.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby detailed that North Korea had provided Russia with a missile launcher and several ballistic missiles, some of which were used in attacks on Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and in a subsequent strike.

Kirby noted the US expects Russia and North Korea to gain insights from these launches and predicts Russia will continue using North Korean missiles against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. While the impact of the December 30 missile is known to have landed in an open field, assessments of the January 2 launch’s effects are ongoing.

This development represents a significant increase in North Korea’s support for Russia, with the US believing North Korea’s motivation lies in acquiring advanced military technology, including fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.

The revelation comes amidst warnings from the White House about the growing alliance between North Korea and Russia, with North Korea previously delivering vast quantities of munitions to Russia. This partnership is seen as a consequence of Russia’s increasing isolation due to global sanctions and export controls.