The United States (US) has accused North Korea of covertly supplying artillery shells to Russia to aid with its special military operation in Ukraine.
In a statement to CNN, the US’ National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, said that in September, North Korea had publicly denied reports that it was planning on supplying ammunition to Russia. However, he stated that there is now intelligence that “Russia has purchased — and they’re on the move.”
“Our information indicates that the DPRK is covertly supplying Russia’s war in Ukraine with a significant number of artillery shells, while obfuscating the real destination of the arms shipments by trying to make it appear as though they are being sent to countries in the Middle East or North Africa,” Kirby said, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
"We're not talking dozens here, it's significant number of artillery shells. It's a sign of not only the degree to which North Korea is willing continue to bolster support Russia but a sign of Russia's own defense articles shortages and needs."
— Joe Gould (@reporterjoe) November 2, 2022
He did not provide evidence to support the allegations or information regarding how many weapons have been shipped, or how payments would be made for them. However, Kirby noted that Moscow turning to these pariah states—which have spent years under international sanctions—is “a sign of Russia’s own article shortages and needs.”
The official also said that Washington would “continue to monitor whether these shipments are received.” He also remarked that over the course of the Ukraine war, Russia had continued to look to allies like North Korea and Iran to help sustain its offensive in Ukraine “amid supply shortages and the efficacy of international sanctions.”
Despite Russia’s additional artillery, the official added that the US believes that Ukraine possesses the ability to defend itself. “We don’t we don’t believe that this will change the course of the war,” Kirby affirmed.
"Our information indicates that they're trying to obscure the method of supply by by funneling them through other countries in the Middle East and North Africa."
— Joe Gould (@reporterjoe) November 2, 2022
Commenting on the newly declassified intelligence during his press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the US had sought “throughout the course of Russia’s war…to be as transparent” as possible, “consistent with the need to protect sources and methods.”
Price pointed out that the White House had declassified information in July that Iran “intended to provide Russia with UAV technology,” reports that Iran had then denied. However, “more recently, the evidence is piling up that Iran has in fact provided Russia with these UAVs and that these UAVs are, in fact, inflicting great damage on the people of Ukraine,” he said.
The spokesperson assured that the US is “engaging countries around the world on [its] concerns regarding the provision by third countries of weapons and supplies to Russia for use in Ukraine.” Although he did not mention the countries he was referring to, Price concluded by saying that “Those are conversations that have been ongoing, and of course if we have additional information that we can share publicly, we won’t hesitate to do that, because we know the value that placing a spotlight on this activity tends to have.”
In the past 36 hours, Russia has launched nearly 100 missiles attacking Ukraine’s water and energy supplies. With temperatures dropping, these attacks are particularly heinous. The United States remains committed to the victory of a sovereign and independent Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/M4q4RHGXcY
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) November 1, 2022
The latest news comes after the Pentagon had confirmed in September that Russia has been attempting to procure millions of dollars worth of ammunition from North Korea and Iran to aid its efforts in the Ukraine war. North Korea at the time denied the allegations, saying it had “never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before” and nor does it “plan to export them.”
Calling the news a “rumour” being spread by the United States to “tarnish” its image, North Korea added that not only was “the development, production, possession of military equipment” lawful, “but also their export and import are the lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state, and nobody is entitled to criticise it.”
North Korea is banned under United Nations resolutions from exporting weapons to or importing weapons from other countries, meaning the latest developments could result in the imposition of further sanctions.
In fact, Price also hinted at further sanctions on North Korea by saying, “We will look at additional tools and authorities that we may be able to call upon to counter this activity.” He added, “We’ll continue to look at ways to hold the DPRK accountable, not only for its WMD and ballistic missile program but for any continued provision of weapons to Russia as well.”