North Korean rockets launched at Ukraine: UK satellite images suggest illegal arms trade with Russia

These images reportedly show Russian vessels transporting containers from North Korean seaports. "The Guardian" revealed on Monday that it is speculated these containers hold the ballistic missiles subsequently used in attacks against Ukraine.

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These photos are expected to be presented as part of the evidence in the UN investigation into the supposed breach of the arms embargo against Russia.

As noted by "The Guardian", ever since the meeting of both countries' leaders, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, in Russia's Far East in September last year, North Korea has faced accusations of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and hundreds of thousands of artillery shells. The relations between the two countries appear to be strengthening, as indicated by the North Korean Head of Diplomacy's five-day visit to Russia last week.

The newspaper disclosed that an unpublished report from British military intelligence, which it had the opportunity to examine, contained photos taken from September to December 2023. These photos depicted three Russian vessels - "Maja", "Angara", and "Maria" - during the process of container loading at the North Korean port of Najin, prior to their voyage to Russian ports in the Far East.

"The Guardian" reminded readers that whilst British military intelligence has been unable to identify the contents of these containers, American reports from last week indicated that North Korean ballistic missiles were being used by Russia in Ukraine.

The newspaper reported that all three aforementioned ships were sanctioned by the US in 2022 due to their connection with Oboronlogistika. This Russian Ministry of Defense-affiliated shipping company was involved in the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and has ties with private Russian shipping companies that transport arms and other military equipment for Russian authorities.

Furthermore, two of the three ships were also highlighted in a recent report by the London-based think tank, the Royal United Services Institute. The report drew attention to an increasing number of shipments from North Korea to Russia, suggesting that "Russia has most likely begun the large-scale transport of North Korean ammunition." The third ship was identified by NK News, an independent portal dedicated to North Korean affairs, as being part of a group of merchant vessels that have repeatedly delivered military equipment and ammunition from North Korea to Russia.

According to "The Guardian", the British report, along with evidence from the USA and other countries, has been passed on to a panel of UN experts. The panel is expected to release a report next month on alleged deliveries of North Korean ammunition to Russia.