North Korea supplies 1,000 containers of military equipment to Russia - White House

Reuters reports on the DPRK's military aid to Russia.

According to the White House, the deliveries took place between September 7 and October 1. From a warehouse in North Korea, the weapons were first loaded onto a Russian ship and then transported by rail across Russia to the Krasnodar Krai. 

The journalists received information from John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator.

"We condemn the DPRK for providing Russia with this military equipment, which will be used to attack Ukrainian cities, kill Ukrainian civilians, and further Russia's illegitimate war," White House spokesman John Kirby said on Friday.

The Asian Nikkei correspondent writes that, according to Kirby, in exchange for this, the DPRK expects to receive fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and other capabilities from Russia.

Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

Earlier, White House spokesman John Kirby said that talks between Russia and the DPRK on military cooperation were "actively progressing."

In July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the DPRK and met with his North Korean counterpart, among others.

In early August, the White House accused Russia of trying to buy munitions from the DPRK.

On August 31, the United States imposed sanctions on two Russian citizens over the development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles for the DPRK.

On September 4, The New York Times reported, citing US and allied officials, that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russia in September and meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss military cooperation.

On September 11, the North Korean leader had travelled by train to Vladivostok to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. 

Oleksandr Kraiev, an expert at the Ukrainian Prism Foreign Policy Council, believes that Russia is preparing to receive weapons and ammunition from the DPRK in exchange for food.

On September 13, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had a meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

September 15, South Korea's top diplomat hinted that Seoul may impose sanctions on Russia following the recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

On October 7, it was reported that satellite images showed the highest traffic on the border between Russia and the DPRK in recent years. This comes a day after rumors surfaced about the start of the transfer of North Korean artillery to Russia.