UK reveals satellite images. Russian ships in North Korean ports may suggest an illegal arms deal

North Korea stands accused of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, potentially intended for use in the Ukrainian conflict. It has been reported that such supplies were discussed during a meeting held in September last year between Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Just last week, Putin met with North Korean foreign minister Choe Son-hui at the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the talks aimed to foster "further development of relations in all areas, including those sensitive."

A report from the UK's Defense Intelligence, obtained by "The Guardian," includes photos from September to December last year. These images show three Russian ships - the Maja, Angara, and Maria - docked at the North Korean port of Najin. Workers can be seen loading containers onto these vessels. While the exact content of these containers remains unknown, it is suggested that they could contain military equipment. This hypothesis was further supported when the US announced last week that ballistic missile parts originating from North Korea had been discovered in Ukraine.

All the ships named in the British report were under US government sanctions in 2022. This is due to their association with Oboronlogistika, a shipping company owned by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Oboronlogistika is known for its involvement in Russia’s seizure and occupation of Crimea in 2014.

Experts from the Royal United Services Institute suggest that large-scale transportation of North Korean ammunition by Russia may have begun. These shipments allegedly enabled military attacks on Ukraine during December and January, resulting in numerous casualties. The "Guardian" explains that one can identify Iskanders produced in Korea by their hand-written serial numbers and distinct nozzle exit cones.

Pranay Vaddi, the Director for Arms Control at the US National Security Council, stated last week that the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is "unprecedented." He issued a warning that Russia's military aid to North Korea could potentially undermine American nuclear deterrence policies in South Korea and Japan.