Russia again turns to North Korea to replenish ammunition supplies

As fighting in Ukraine depletes stockpiles on both sides, Moscow is looking to Pyongyang for help.

An exhibition of destroyed Russian military vehicles in Kyiv. Picture: AFP

Russia is looking to buy more ammunition from North Korea to replenish its dwindling stockpiles amid Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Thursday said any arms deal between North Korea and Russia would be a violation of several UN Security Council resolutions.

He added that the US would continue to identify and stop Russian efforts to acquire ammunition from North Korea, or any other state that might be prepared to support the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.

“This is yet another example of how desperate (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is becoming, because his war machine is being affected by the sanctions and the export controls,” Mr Kirby said. “He is going through a vast amount of inventory to try to subjugate Ukraine.”

The revelation, which was based on declassified US intelligence, follows a visit by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to Pyongyang last week with the aim of reaffirming their military partnership.

John Kirby. Picture: AFP

Ammunition shortages have been a problem for both sides in the Ukraine war.

US President Joe Biden in July warned that Ukraine was running out of ammunition. And Moscow has previously turned to Pyongyang for supplies.

Earlier this year, the White House said Russia was negotiating a deal with North Korea to exchange weapons for food and other commodities. The US has also imposed sanctions and export controls on individuals who have allegedly attempted to facilitate arms deals between Russia and North Korea.

The US has, in recent months, cited intelligence indicating a willingness by China and Iran to supply Russia with lethal aid. To date, the US has said there is no evidence China has followed through with those discussions.

Iran, meanwhile, has expanded its military trade with Russia, providing hundreds of drones for Moscow to pursue its war in Ukraine. Russia has used Iranian drones to attack Ukraine’s electrical grid and other civilian infrastructure.

A large amount of munitions on both sides is being expended amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive aimed at breaking the winter’s stalemate and recapturing territory taken by Russian forces last year.

US and European officials believe a successful Ukrainian offensive could pave the way for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow by the end of the year, and that China could help bring Russia to the table. Officials from up to 30 countries are preparing to meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this weekend for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.