Arrival of NK arms in Russia 'almost certain': British defense ministry
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, Oct. 19. Reuters-Yonhap
Britain's defense ministry has said it is "almost certain" that North Korean munitions have arrived in western Russia for the country's use in its war against Ukraine amid persistent speculation over their arms transfers.
The information followed Washington's revelation that Pyongyang had sent more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Moscow as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare summit last month.
"Despite Russia's official rejection of recent reports, it is almost certain that North Korean munitions have now reached ammunition depots in western Russia," the British ministry said in a post updated on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday (local time).
"These depots support Russian military operations in Ukraine," it added.
The ministry said should Pyongyang continue to send military-related shipments at the current pace, it will be "on course" to become one of Moscow's "significant" overseas arms providers, alongside Iran and Belarus.
The international community has condemned the suspected arms agreement, which would violate multiple United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions banning any weapons trade with the North, which Russia itself has voted for.
In a recent joint statement lambasting the two countries, Seoul, Washington and Tokyo confirmed part of such weapons deliveries and said the North is seeking military assistance to advance its own military capabilities.
Britain's defense ministry said while it is "unclear" what Moscow has agreed to provide to Pyongyang at the current stage, the package would likely include financial compensation, military technology provision and cooperation in other areas, such as space technology.
"It is unlikely the full package has been finalized," the ministry said, adding the package was likely among the top agenda items discussed in recent high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Citing commercial satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs, the U.S. media outlet Voice of America reported Friday that signs of cargo deliveries were detected at the North and Russia's border area and the North Korean port of Najin, reinforcing suspicions over their arms agreement. (Yonhap)
-
Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 27Inside a weird and wonderful costume geek's paradise'A lot of reasons for optimism' on N. Korea talks: MattisWatch Donald Trump throw a mini temper tantrum after the debateYes, big spiders are spreading in the U.S. No, they're not flying.Elon Musk to the media: 'You're killing people'How Bran and Arya's paths could cross in 'Game of Thrones' Season 7Facial recognition could soon be used to identify masked protestersDoosan scraps controversial RoboticsPark offers N.K. investment for nuclear deal
- ·Yoon approves labor minister's appointment
- ·Bro trolls city council with hilarious speech defending house parties
- ·KOICA exhibition to recount Korea’s overseas aid history
- ·Josh Brown's letters admitting to domestic violence are now haunting the NFL
- ·The Apple iPod: Pocket Music Before That Phone
- ·Trump says he'll accept the election results... if he wins
- ·Obama tells Trump to 'stop whining'
- ·Cartoon character Snagglepuss has is own comic, and is officially gay
- ·Apple Intelligence is now a little easier to get outside the U.S.
- ·Samsung promises foldable phones by 2018
- ·People can't handle Kevin Durant's Rolling Stone cover outfit
- ·'A lot of reasons for optimism' on N. Korea talks: Mattis
- ·Revolutionary grid
- ·以球会友 交往交流!2024年粤喀“石榴籽杯”青少年足球嘉年华举行
- ·China's LeEco prepares to take over the U.S. with phones, TVs and cars
- ·KOICA exhibition to recount Korea’s overseas aid history
- ·iPhone 16 Pro new color will reportedly be Desert Titanium
- ·Geologists say North Korea's nuclear test site has collapsed
- ·Samsung promises foldable phones by 2018
- ·以球会友 交往交流!2024年粤喀“石榴籽杯”青少年足球嘉年华举行
- ·DNC 2024 speech: Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have a superpower no other Democrat has.
- ·Korea to build second airport on Jejudo Island
- ·Ambassador posts adorable proposal after marriage equality legalised in Australia
- ·Despite what this hat says, don't grab women 'by the brain' or otherwise
- ·Webb telescope just snapped image of huge black hole gobbling material
- ·35 good memes that got us through a bad year
- ·Cicadas love to land on people. Experts explain why.
- ·Samsung promises foldable phones by 2018
- ·Microsoft made speech recognition software that's as accurate as humans
- ·Video surfaces of Roy Moore being interviewed by 12
- ·“大体老师”的故事:以生命点亮生命
- ·Textbook author quits amid sexual harassment claims
- ·Video surfaces of Roy Moore being interviewed by 12
- ·Former POSCO chief indicted over alleged corruption
- ·11 Unique Amaros and Liqueurs to Level Up Your Aperol Spritz
- ·The Pope has way too much faith in the way we use social media