UK condemns reports Russia has fired North Korean missiles against Ukraine - Alex Walters Simon Newton 5th January 2024 at 10:33am Play Video

Watch: North Korean weaponry continues to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

The UK has condemned reports that Russia has used North Korean missiles in Ukraine and urged Pyongyang to cease the supply.

Citing newly declassified intelligence, the White House said that Russia has recently used short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) sourced from North Korea to conduct multiple strikes against Ukraine.

Following the intelligence, the UK Foreign Office has condemned reports of the links between the Kremlin and Kim Jong Un's regime, describing it as a sign of Russia's "desperation" and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

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'Significant and concerning escalation'

US National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters the US will raise the development with the United Nations Security Council.

Mr Kirby called North Korea's arms transfer to Russia a "significant and concerning escalation" and said the United States would impose additional sanctions against those facilitating the arms deals.

Moscow has previously denied collaboration with North Korea when accused by the US of sourcing weapons from the East Asian nation.

But the US shared intelligence details of Russia's procurement of the missiles, claims have been launched on two occasions in recent weeks.

Watch: US says it has evidence North Korea's giving Russia shells.

'UK strongly condemns Russia's decision'

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The UK strongly condemns Russia's decision to use ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea in recent attacks against Ukraine. We urge North Korea to cease its arms supply to Russia.

"Russia is turning to North Korea for its weapons in pursuit of its cynical and ill-conceived military aims in Ukraine. This is symptomatic of its isolation on the world stage and a sign of its desperation.

"Furthermore, this activity is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, which Russia supported as a permanent member."

The spokesperson added: "Any support for North Korea's own illegal weapons programmes risks significantly undermining the UN's long-standing commitment to security, and further destabilising the region.

"North Korea is subject to a robust sanctions regime, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine."

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