Has North Korea Started Sending Russia Military Equipment For Use In Ukraine War?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is on an official trip to Pyongyang, has pledged Moscow’s “complete support” for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

His ongoing two-day visit follows on the heels of Kim’s days-long trip to Russia in September – and sets the stage for a possible visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It was Kim’s first trip abroad since COVID, with South Korea confirming the leader’s armoured train entering Russia. Kim met Putin to discuss “possibilities” for military cooperation.

Kim’s Regime Could Be Sitting On Large Stockpile Of Arms

Last week, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Pyongyang has supplied up to 1,000 containers of “equipment and munitions” to Russia in “recent weeks”.

The Russian military is believed to be burning through substantial amounts of artillery shells and missiles in its ongoing “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine.

Kim’s regime could be sitting on a large stockpile of arms, due to its unresolved conflict with the South, but could be reluctant to hand over too much given its relative lack of resources.

Any Help From North Korea Would Violate UN Resolutions

International sanctions and pandemic restrictions have left North Korea’s economy in a dire state, with the country short of essentials such as food and medicine.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Kirby said the equipment was exported via sea and rail to a supply depot near Tikhoretsk, about 290 km from the Ukrainian border.

US officials said the transfer took place between September 7 and October 1. Washington has warned about any help from the North would violate UN resolutions.

Implementing Arrangements Made When Putin And Kim Met

At an official reception on Wednesday, Lavrov accused the US and its allies of unleasing a “war against the Russian federation,” pledging Moscow’s support for Kim.

He also said he was there to discuss implementing the arrangements made when Putin and Kim met last month, but did not elaborate further.

It is unclear if Lavrov would meet with the North Korean leader during his current trip. Nonetheless, his two-day visit is being closely monitored by leaders across the globe.