In a startling escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kyiv officials and the U.S. White House have corroborated reports that Russia has launched North Korean-supplied missiles at Ukraine. This marks the first instance of such weaponry being used in the ongoing invasion, intensifying the already grave situation.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior Kyiv official, made a harrowing statement on social media, accusing Russia of utilizing North Korean missiles in its “outright genocidal war” against Ukraine. According to Podolyak, this act removes any semblance of disguise, revealing the depth of Russia’s military tactics. The Kremlin has yet to respond to these allegations, leaving a shroud of mystery over the situation.

The Kharkiv region, a critical northeastern area of Ukraine, was reported to have been struck by these foreign missiles. This was initially noted by the regional governor, who stated that the missiles fired were not of Russian make. Adding to the gravity of these claims, a Reuters video operator captured the aftermath of a Russian air strike on Kharkiv’s regional capital on January 2, which resulted in a deep crater and missile debris.

Joost Oliemans, a Dutch researcher and expert on North Korea’s military, reviewed the footage and confirmed that the missile remnants resembled North Korean designs. He stated that the footage showcased sections of a missile consistent with North Korean types seen in recent years.

The attack on Kharkiv city tragically resulted in two deaths and wounded 62 individuals, as reported by the prosecutor’s office. While Ukraine’s air force has not yet confirmed the country of origin of the missiles, the United States has indicated that Pyongyang supplied short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) with a range of about 900 km (550 miles) to Russia.

The involvement of North Korean weaponry in the conflict raises significant international concerns, given that North Korea has been under a United Nations arms embargo since 2006. U.N. Security Council resolutions, which Russia has previously supported, prohibit any military equipment trade with North Korea. This development not only underscores the intensifying nature of the Russia-Ukraine conflict but also poses serious questions about global military alliances and the enforcement of international sanctions.

As the world grapples with the ramifications of this alarming development, the image provided captures the devastating impact of war, depicting a city ravaged by missile strikes and shrouded in the aftermath of conflict.

  Kharkiv, Mykhailo Podolyak, North Korea, Russia, Ukraine