A recent report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, comprising 11 countries including the US, UK, and Japan, reveals extensive military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in violation of UN sanctions.  Since September 2023, North Korea has supplied Russia with over 20,000 containers of munitions and at least 100 ballistic missiles, along with artillery and rocket launchers.  These weapons have intensified Russian missile attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, contributing to what the report describes as the “terrorising” of civilians.

In return, Russia has supported North Korea by aiding its ballistic missile and troubled spy satellite programs, providing electronic warfare systems, and offering performance data to improve North Korean weapon accuracy.  North Korea has also deployed around 11,000 soldiers to Ukraine, with a recent addition of 3,000 reinforcements, gaining battlefield experience.  This military alliance was formalized in a 2024 strategic partnership treaty between leaders Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, raising further international concern over violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

The report underscores the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, highlighting the transfer of significant quantities of weaponry and military personnel.  It also emphasizes the impact of these actions on the civilian population in Ukraine, where the use of North Korean-supplied weapons has led to increased casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

The international community has expressed alarm over these developments, with calls for stricter enforcement of sanctions and increased diplomatic efforts to address the violations.  The report serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of global alliances and the far-reaching consequences of military cooperation between sanctioned states.

Source: The Guardian