US and Russia Clash at UN Over North Korea and Patriot Missiles in Ukraine – Reuters

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – On Tuesday, the United States accused Russia of launching at least nine missiles supplied by North Korea at Ukraine. In response, Moscow described Washington as a “direct accomplice” in the downing of a Russian military transport plane last month.

The exchange of accusations took place during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine, which was requested by Russia. The conflict began nearly two years ago when Russia invaded its neighboring country.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, informed the 15-member Security Council that “to date, Russia has launched DPRK-supplied ballistic missiles against Ukraine on at least nine occasions.” He stressed that both Russia and North Korea must face accountability for their actions, which he stated violate longstanding obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have rejected the U.S. claims but reaffirmed their intention to strengthen military ties. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Russia has cultivated deeper relationships with nations such as North Korea and Iran, which are viewed with suspicion by the West.

On January 24, a Russian Air Force Il-76 aircraft crashed, resulting in the deaths of all 74 people on board, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were being transported for a prisoner swap. Russia has attributed the crash to a Ukrainian strike.

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia told the Security Council, “We have irrefutable evidence that a Patriot surface-to-air missile was used to carry out the strike, which leaves no doubt that Washington is a direct accomplice in this crime.” Russian investigators stated last week that they possess evidence indicating that Ukraine’s military shot down the transport plane using U.S.-made Patriot missiles.

Russia called for the Security Council meeting after alleging that Ukraine had killed at least 28 individuals by striking a bakery and a restaurant in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine using Western-supplied rockets.

Ukrainian U.N. diplomat Serhii Dvornyk accused Russia of exploiting the Security Council to disseminate false information. Wood noted that the U.S. could not verify the information independently due to a lack of independent media but expressed condolences for all civilian casualties. He added, “To be clear, Russia is the only aggressor in this war, and the only one that could end this war today.”