National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it is likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin will send food to North Korea in exchange for ammunition. Russia is depleting its stockpiles of ammunition as it fights for territory in southern and eastern Ukraine, and is desperate for more ammunition
Russia is seeking to purchase additional weapons from North Korea to bolster its war in Ukraine, the White House has revealed. The development comes as Moscow has sought munitions help from other countries such as Iran, which has sent Russia thousands of drones. In a briefing with reporters, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said it was likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin would send food to North Korea in exchange for munitions.
“We remain concerned that North Korea will provide additional support for Russia’s military operations against Ukraine, and we have new information that Russia is actively seeking to purchase additional weapons from North Korea,” he said.
Russia is depleting its ammunition reserves as it battles for territory in southern and eastern Ukraine. The battle for Bakhmut, a town in the Donbas region, slowed any Russian advance, forcing the Russian forces to waste their ammunition and artillery.
The aid from North Korea will help Moscow’s forces replenish their weapons stockpiles ahead of an expected offensive by Ukraine in the spring.
Last December, the Biden administration accused North Korea of supplying rockets and missiles to the Wagner group that conducted the bulk of the fighting in Behemoth. The possible agreement between Russia and North Korea was carried out by Slovakian arms dealer Ashot Makretchev, which led the US to impose sanctions on him, Politico website reported.