WashingtonThe United States has claimed that North Korea is providing Russia with a large number of artillery shells to use in the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Our information indicates that the DPRK (North Korea) is supplying significant numbers of artillery shells to Russia’s war in Ukraine, while intercepting shipments, by revealing that they are in countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Going,” White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on a call.
Kirby said the number of shells North Korea is reportedly sending to Russia is “not insignificant,” but the White House believes the supplies could tangibly change the direction of the conflict in Ukraine.
“We do not believe that the material he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) is getting or is going to get is in any way going to change the outcome on the battlefield,” he said. The White House Strategic Communications Coordinator said the US would raise the issue during consultations with its allies and partners, and would also do so at the United Nations regarding taking any additional accountability measures against North Korea.
Last month, the United States said it saw signs that Russia had approached North Korea to purchase ammunition. In addition, US media reported, citing Biden administration officials, that Moscow wants to buy artillery shells and missiles from Pyongyang. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia has since denied the claims.
It comes as tensions rise on the Korean peninsula as North Korea on Wednesday launched nearly two dozen missiles, one of which landed near South Korean waters. North Korea conducted a record number of weapons tests in 2022 under pressure from the Biden administration. US and South Korean forces conducted joint air exercises earlier this week, which North Korea described as “constant and reckless” provocations.