Unites States: The United States has accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
“Pyongyang has supplied up to 1,000 containers of equipment and munitions in “recent weeks,” US National Security Council Spokesperson Mr. John Kirby stated. Officials released photos of 300 containers assembled for transport in Najin, North Korea.
In September, North Korean leader Mr. Kim Jong Un visited Russia and discussed potential military cooperation.
Mr. Kirby said the equipment was exported via sea and rail to a supply depot in southwestern Russia, near Tikhoretsk, about 290 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
The US spokesperson did not specify the nature of the munitions supplied by Mr. Kim’s regime, but the US has previously accused Moscow of purchasing rockets and artillery shells from Pyongyang.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, US officials have continuously raised concerns that North Korea has supplied munitions to Russia.
“We condemn North Korea for providing Russia with this military equipment, which will be used to attack Ukrainian cities, kill Ukrainian civilians, and further Russia’s illegitimate war,” Mr. Kirby told reporters.
According to Mr. Kirby, deliveries by North Korea violate UN Security Council resolutions, “which is why we will continue to aggressively raise these arms deals at the UN alongside our allies and partners.”
In July, Russian Defence Minister Mr. Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea with a military delegation and met with Mr. Kim, who displayed a number of weapons systems, including the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Additionally, in September, Mr. Kim met with Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny space centre in Russia’s far east.
Recently, US President Mr. Joe Biden stated that the temporary agreement between House Democrats and Republicans may force him to find alternative ways to fund Ukraine’s war effort.
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