Russia is buying millions of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea, according to newly declassified American intelligence, a sign that global sanctions have severely restricted its supply chains and forced Moscow to turn to pariah states for military supplies.
As per US Intelligence officials, Russians could look to purchase additional North Korean military equipment in the future. Although, there is no clarity over how much weaponry Russia intends to purchase from North Korea.
The disclosure comes days after Russia received initial shipments of Iranian-made drones
The disclosure comes days after Russia received initial shipments of Iranian-made drones, some of which American officials said had mechanical problems. U.S. government officials said Russia’s decision to turn to Iran, and now North Korea was a sign that sanctions and export controls imposed by the United States and Europe were hurting Moscow’s ability to obtain supplies for its army.
This comes amid a bold statement by the United Kingdom Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. He said it has been more than six months into its war in Ukraine, and Russia “has yet to achieve any of its strategic objectives” in its invasion. Wallace said that Russia “continues to lose significant equipment and personnel” in the war. He further added that the losses will have a lasting impact on Moscow’s future combat effectiveness.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the White House began declassifying intelligence reports about Moscow’s military plans — then disclosing that material, first to allies privately and then to the public. After something of a lull in the disclosures, the American government has once again begun declassifying information to highlight the struggles of Russia’s military, including the recent intelligence about the purchase of Iranian drones and the Russian army’s problems recruiting soldiers.