The US on Wednesday accused North Korea of covertly shipping a “significant number” of artillery shells to Russia to aid its war effort in Ukraine, a sign that Moscow is increasingly turning to pariah states for military supplies as the grinding conflict persists.

The White House’s national security spokesman, John Kirby, said that it was unclear if the artillery munitions, which are being transferred through West Asia and North Africa, had reached Russia. The US does not believe that the additional weapons will alter the trajectory of the war.

“Our indications are the DPRK is covertly supplying and we’re going to monitor to see whether shipments are received,” Kirby told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “Our information indicates that they’re trying to obscure the method of supply by funnelling them through other countries in West Asia and North Africa.”

North Korea said in September it had never supplied weapons or ammunition to Russia and has no plans to do so.

The Biden administration said in September that Russia was seeking to purchase artillery shells and rockets from North Korea. The US is also concerned that Iran may be shipping drones and surface-to-surface missiles.

Kirby said that Russia has now gone beyond shopping for such artillery and had made purchases. He would not elaborate on how the weapons were being transported or whether the US intends to try to intercept them.

The US believes that Ukraine will continue to have the ability to defend itself if the North Korean munitions do reach Russia. “We don’t we don’t believe that this will change the course of the war,” Kirby said.

ICBM threat

North Korea fired at least six missiles into the sea on Thursday, including an ICBM that triggered evacuation warnings and halted trains in northern Japan, adding to a recent barrage of weapons tests that has escalated tensions in the region.

The ICBM test was followed by 2 short-range ballistic missiles, drawing condemnation by North Korea’s neighbours and the US.

New York Times News Service and Reuters