North Korea Increases Weapons Supplies to Russia, Kremlin "Pays" with Technology, - WSJ
Date: 2024-12-23 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
North Korea and Russia are strengthening military cooperation: Pyongyang is actively supplying weapons to Moscow for the war in Ukraine, and in return receives financial support and oil, which is desperately needed for its economy, writes The Wall Street Journal.
Satellite images show that North Korea is not only sending more and more ammunition to Russia, but also expanding its own weapons production. This allows Moscow to compensate for the losses caused by sanctions and military actions.
"North Korean ammunition supports Russia's defense capability," said Andrey Kovalenko, an officer in the Ukrainian army.
According to Western officials, Pyongyang is likely to receive access to nuclear technology from the Kremlin, which is causing serious concern among US allies.
Millions of artillery shells from North Korea have already helped Russia make up for its ammunition shortage. Ukrainian officials say missiles donated by Pyongyang now make up a significant portion of Russian attacks. North Korean weapons systems, such as the upgraded KN-25 rocket launchers, are in active use.
Russia is also getting human resources: “About 12,000 North Korean soldiers are already involved in the fighting,” according to U.S. officials. However, Moscow and Pyongyang are trying to hide the involvement of these troops by providing them with false documents.
The deployment of new missile factories in North Korea is accompanied by an increase in rail and sea transport. At the same time, Moscow is providing Pyongyang with fuel and technology.
“North Korean missiles are made to order,” says Damien Spleeters of Conflict Armament Research.
At the UN General Assembly, Pyongyang denied arms supplies. However, according to the SBU, intercepted phone calls confirm the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.
"Yesterday a train arrived, about 100 people, today another 120," says an intercepted conversation of a Russian nurse.
Strengthening cooperation between Russia and North Korea increases tensions in the region and creates threats to international security.
