Russia's Repeated Requests for Weapons Support... Did It Support the North?

North Appears to Disguise Shells and Ammunition as Maritime Cargo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been reported that Russia continues to request weapons support from North Korea and Iran.

On the 15th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that a U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson responded to RFA's inquiry about signs that Russia requested additional support from North Korea due to depleted weapons stockpiles, saying, "As the war prolongs and weapons run out, Russia continues to request support from North Korea and Iran."

The spokesperson added, "According to intelligence, North Korea is secretly supplying a significant amount of artillery shells to Russia's war in Ukraine," and "North Korea is obscuring the actual destination of the shipped weapons by making it appear as if they are being sent to Middle Eastern or North African countries."

The U.S. is said to have obtained intelligence that North Korea disguised these weapons as maritime shipments bound for the Middle East and North Africa to transport ammunition such as shells to Russia. However, this intelligence did not include the scale or value of the weapons North Korea provided to Russia.

North Korea is known to have developed missiles since the 1970s with technical support from the former Soviet Union. The KN-23 and KN-24 missiles that North Korea has launched repeatedly this year are also modified versions of the ‘Iskander’ missile currently used by Russia to attack Ukraine.

North Korea’s missile support to Russia violates UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. The UN Security Council banned North Korea’s missile exports in the 2006 resolution following North Korea’s first nuclear test, and in 2009 blocked all exports of weapons-related materials. Furthermore, in 2016, after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test, overseas weapons transport for repair and service purposes was also prohibited.

On the 4th, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence of the United States, stated at the Reagan National Defense Forum, "It is judged that Russia does not have the capability to produce the weapons it is pouring in," and "They are expected to seek help from other countries to effectively procure ammunition." Subsequently, Barbara Woodward, the UK Ambassador to the UN, said at a press briefing on the 9th, "I am confident that as Russia’s weapons run out, it is receiving weapons support from North Korea and Iran."

Earlier, U.S. intelligence agencies revealed in declassified secret information on September 9th that Russia is purchasing millions of shells and rockets from North Korea for use in the Ukraine war. Last month, suspicions arose that North Korea was exporting winter military uniforms to Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.