The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that Russia has been attempting to procure millions of dollars worth of ammunition from North Korea and Iran to aid its efforts in the Ukraine war.
While speaking to journalists during a press briefing on Tuesday, Brigadier General (Gen.) Patrick Ryder confirmed that Washington had “indications that Russia has approached North Korea to request ammunition.” Ryder said that the report was “indicative of the situation that Russia finds itself in terms of its logistics and sustainment capabilities as it relates to Ukraine.” “Certainly… we assess that things are not going well on that front for Russia, so the fact that they’re reaching out to North Korea is a sign that they’re having some challenges on the sustainment front,” he asserted.
Russia's Security Council says it rejects the doctrine of "state terrorism" as it leads to illegal interference
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) September 6, 2022
Russia has resisted sanctions on US-designated terrorism sponsors like Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Syria but continues to call Ukraine a "terrorist state"
On being asked why the information had been declassified now, Ryder said that as the war has gone on, the US has “tried to ensure that the public and the international community understand the situation that Russia finds itself” in as it continues “to wage [its] campaign in Ukraine.” He added that the latest intelligence was “relevant” because it is “indicative” of Russia’s plight and demonstrates that it is “trying to reach out to international actors like Iran and North Korea,” which “don’t have the best record when it comes to international stability.”
.@nytimes : russia is buying weapons from North Korea.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 6, 2022
Soviet weapons have indeed exhausted their potential.Thus 🇺🇦 is switching to NATO standards.
Those who are unable to transform to NATO standards, switch to North Korean standards: be it weapons, politics,standard of living.
On being prodded further M, Ryder refused to comment on what type of “capabilities” Pyongyang could offer, saying he did not “want to speculate on what Russia may or may not need” or “what they [North Korea] could offer.”
Similarly, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel confirmed during his press briefing on Tuesday that Russia is “in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use in Ukraine.” Like Ryder, Patel said the purchase “indicates that the Russian military continues to suffer from severe supply shortages due in part because of export controls and sanctions,” and reflects “another example of the lines of efforts that we [US] have to hold Russia accountable.” Patel added that the US expects Russia “to try to purchase additional North Korean military equipment going forward as well.”
Also Read: Has the Ukraine War Really Pushed Russia to the Brink of Isolation?
North Korea is banned under United Nations resolutions from exporting weapons to or importing weapons from other countries, meaning the latest developments could result in the imposition of further sanctions.
"The only reason the Kremlin should have to buy artillery shells or rockets from North Korea or anyone is because Putin has been unwilling or unable to mobilize the Russian economy for war at even the most basic level," said Fred Kagan of @criticalthreats
— Julian E. Barnes (@julianbarnes) September 6, 2022
The news of further cooperation between Russia and North Korea comes a few months after North Korea officially recognised the independence of the Ukrainian breakaway territories of Donetsk and Luhansk. There has also been speculation that North Korean labourers will be sent to help with reconstruction efforts in Russian-controlled areas.
Apart from North Korea, US intelligence has indicated that Russia has also turned to Iran to procure hundreds of drones.