According to South Korean analysts, shipments of North Korean artillery shells to Russia that have provided the Kremlin with an advantage on battlefields in Ukraine may have ceased.
Four Russian ships - the Lady R, the Angara, the Maia-1, and the Maria - have completed a minimum of 32 journeys between Rajin port in North Korea and Russia's Dunay and Vostochny ports in the far east of the country, as per satellite imagery analysis.
North Korea Halts Artillery Shipments to Russia
TOPSHOT - Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Far Eastern Federal University campus on Russky island in the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok on April 25, 2019.
North Korea has temporarily halted the shipment of artillery to Russia, raising concerns about potential production problems or logistical challenges. NK Pro, a research organization specializing in North Korea, reported a cessation in sea transfers, raising concerns about the flow of military equipment crucial to Russia's ground offensive in Ukraine.
The affected vessels, including the Lady R, Angara, Maia-1, and Maria, had made 32 trips to North Korea since August under an agreement between North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The suspension of artillery supplies has huge repercussions for the conflict that is still going on in Ukraine. Russia encounters a shortage of ammunition, Ukrainian forces, which have been struggling with a lack of supplies from Western suppliers, might face further barriers. The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom has highlighted the possible impact on Russia's capacity, warning that it could "ill afford" any gaps over contested airspace in eastern and southern Ukraine.
NK Pro speculates that there may be a move to different forms of transportation for North Korea's shells, such as trains, planes, or other logistical issues. Traditionally, the sea has been the basic mode of delivery for North Korea's shells.
In addition to addressing the fact that North Korea did not appear to have sent containers to the export dock throughout the impacted period, the group brought attention to the notion that the reasons behind the halt in exports are still unknown, according to The Telegraph.
Russia-North Korea Relationship
The context of the Russia-North Korea relationship is crucial in understanding the potential reasons behind the interruption. South Korean lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum has pointed out that Pyongyang has engaged in an exchange with Russia, providing arms shipments in return for satellite technology and assistance with their space program. This relationship extends beyond the current conflict in Ukraine, with alleged quid pro quo deals contributing to North Korea's progress in its nuclear weapons program and satellite launches.
The pause in sea shipments occurs against the backdrop of a broader narrative of collaboration between Russia and North Korea. Reports had indicated a robust flow of military equipment, with the four mentioned vessels subject to US Treasury sanctions for their role in proliferating such equipment from North Korea to Russia. The latest confirmed docking was by Maia-1 between February 16 and 21, raising questions about a possible hiccup in production or logistics.
International observers continue to follow developments as the brief stop in artillery shipments presents a new layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, sparking speculation about the dynamics between Russia and North Korea, Trendy Digests reported.
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