Intelligence reports say North Korea has intensified arms supplies to Russia, both by sea and by rail, but it is difficult to judge the quality of these weapons, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodnyuk has said on Radio NV.
Speaking to Radio NV on Oct. 19, Zahorodnyuk, now the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies, said no one has real data on the state of North Korea’s weapons and military equipment, as it is an extremely closed country.
Read also: North Korea may have cooperated with Hamas, could use tactics to attack South Korea, Seoul says
“We know that they have a large amount of weapons and military equipment from the Soviet era, and they transferred this to China in the Soviet Union era,” Zahorodnyuk said.
“We understand that they have a large amount of ammunition, which was stored in warehouses. So technically, they have stuff to send to Russia. But the question is: what is its condition and to what extent have they actually agreed? We don’t know.”
Read also: New satellite images suggest North Korea is regularly supplying arms to Russia by sea
Asked how much these supplies could affect Russia’s ability to fight in Ukraine, the former minister replied: “I don’t think it will have a dramatic impact.”
U.S. analysts wrote that after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un on Sept. 13, Pyongyang sharply increased its cargo transportation to Russia.
The media reported that North Korea was handing over artillery shells and Katyusha rockets to Moscow.
In fact, widely published satellite imagery provides evidence of extensive shipments of North Korean cargoes, probably weapons, to Russia in recent weeks, according to military experts and analysts.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Abhinav Thawait is a globe-trotting correspondent with a passion for international affairs. With a background in international relations, he offers a global perspective on the most pressing issues around the world. Abhinav’s curiosity takes his to the far corners of the earth, where he seeks to share untold stories and diverse viewpoints.