russia buys artillery shells from North Korea — US intelligence
russia is buying millions of artillery shells and short-range missiles from North Korea
It was reported by The New York Times, EP writes.
As noted, it became known about the purchase of ammunition from the DPRK a few days after russia received the first batches of Iranian-made drones.
russia's decision to reach out to Iran and now to North Korea is a sign of sanctions and export controls introduced by the USA and Europe.
It prevents moscow from getting supplies for the army, representatives of the American government stated.
The United States has provided few details on declassified intelligence about the exact weapons, timing, or size of the batch ordered from North Korea.
A US official said that in addition to short-range missiles and artillery shells, russia would try to purchase additional North Korean equipment in the future.
"The kremlin should be alarmed that it has to buy anything from North Korea at all," commented Mason Clark, who heads the russia group at the Institute for the Study of War.
Iran and North Korea are largely cut off from international trade by US and international sanctions.
This means that none of the countries has anything to lose by concluding agreements with russia.
Any agreement to purchase weapons from North Korea violates UN resolutions prohibiting weapons proliferation from Pyongyang.
An unnamed US official said that the new agreement with North Korea shows moscow's desperation.
Frederick W. Kagan, a military expert at the American Enterprise Institute, said the appeal to North Korea is a sign that russia appears incapable of producing even the most basic technology needed to wage war.
In August, vladimir putin sent a letter to the North Korean leader saying he wanted to deepen relations.
It should be recalled that Ukraine severed diplomatic relations with North Korea after Pyongyang recognized the "independence" of the territories occupied by russia.
