The White House has accused North Korea of transport a “significant” variety of artillery shells to Russia to assist its invasion of Ukraine.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated the US believes North Korea “is trying to make it appear as though they’re being sent to countries in the Middle East or North Africa”.
He didn’t present a particular estimate on the amount of ammunition being despatched to Russia.
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Mr Kirby stated North Korea “is covertly supplying” the ammunition to Russia, however “we’re still monitoring this to determine whether the shipments are actually received”.
He insisted the shipments are “not going to change the course of the war”, citing Western efforts to resupply the Ukrainian navy.
The White House wouldn’t specify the mode of transportation or whether or not Western nations would try to intercept the shipments to Russia.
It revealed the intelligence practically two months after first alleging US intelligence officers had decided Russia’s defence ministry was within the technique of buying hundreds of thousands of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for its invasion of Ukraine.
White House downplays significance
Despite revealing details about the covert shipments the White House sought to downplay its significance.
“We don’t believe that they are in such a quantity that they would change the direction of this war or tangibly change the momentum either in the East or in the South” the place a number of the heaviest combating in Ukraine is going down, Mr Kirby stated.
He stated the shipments had been an indication not solely of Pyongyang’s willingness to assist Russia but additionally of Moscow’s munitions shortages, which had been attributable to Western sanctions and export controls.
North Korea accuses US of ‘tarnishing’ its fame
In September, North Korea stated it had by no means equipped weapons or ammunition to Russia and has no plans to take action.
It went on to warn the US to “keep its mouth shut” and cease circulating rumours geared toward “tarnishing” the nation’s picture.
Source: information.sky.com”