Russia Seeking Weapons from North Korea to Fuel War in Ukraine
The White House has new evidence that Russia is seeking weapons from North Korea in exchange for food and other commodities. According to US intelligence, Russia is seeking to send a delegation to North Korea to finalize the deal, which would violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Russia previously received arms from North Korea through private military company Wagner Group. To replenish its military capabilities, which have suffered heavy losses due to the war in Ukraine, Russia is turning to suppliers of last resort like Iran and North Korea.
US Sanctions Against a Slovakian Man
The US Department of Treasury has imposed sanctions on Ashot Mkrtychev, a Slovakian national, for attempting to arrange an arms deal between North Korea and Russia amidst the war in Ukraine. Mkrtychev negotiated with officials in both countries to arrange a relationship of “mutually beneficial cooperation”.
Mkrtychev arranged for North Korean officials to provide over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions for Russia in exchange for commercial aircraft, raw materials, and commodities. The negotiations were confirmed with senior Russian officials, indicating that preparations for the deal were complete.
Violation of U.N. Resolutions
Any arms deal with Russia would be a violation of U.N. resolutions that ban North Korea from exporting or importing weapons from other countries. North Korea’s food situation is reportedly the worst it has been under Kim Jong Un’s rule. The Biden administration is loosening restrictions on intelligence findings and making them public to keep allies and the public informed about Moscow’s intent.
Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev has been sanctioned for attempting to facilitate arms deals between Russia and North Korea. Mkrtychev is at the center of the new North Korea-Russia deal, which has yet to be finalized. The US is trying to constrain Russia’s ability to replace lost military equipment through multilateral sanctions and export controls.
Further Support to Russia’s Military Operations Against Ukraine
The White House expresses concern that North Korea may provide further support to Russia’s military operations against Ukraine. US intelligence suggested China was considering providing arms and ammunition to Russia in this conflict.
Russia has lost over 9,000 pieces of heavy military equipment due to the war in Ukraine, and Putin is turning to suppliers like Iran and North Korea to replenish his military capabilities. The US continues to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically because of its costly invasion of Ukraine.
Thursday’s sanctions freeze any US-based assets held by the designated person and bar people in the US from having business dealings with them. Mkrtychev tried to arrange a secret deal that would have given Russia access to weapons and munitions from North Korea in exchange for aircraft, food and other material.
Conclusion
The episode is the latest sign that Russia is searching for ways to replenish its military capabilities as it continues to suffer losses amid heavy fighting in Ukraine. US officials have previously issued public warnings that Russia is seeking to replenish its military stockpiles through deals with other countries as it struggles to replace weapons, shells, and ammunition.
The recent sanctions by the US also serve as a clear message that they are monitoring such activities closely and will intervene when they see fit. The situation remains fluid, as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to simmer while Russia seeks ways out of this protracted conflict.
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