Reports have revealed that North Korea sent over 74,000 metric tons of explosives to Russia from last August to this January.
The U.S. think tank C4ADS analyzed that these explosives were mainly distributed to 16 sites along the western border near Ukraine from two ports in the Russian Far East.
According to the Washington Post, the 74,000 metric tons of explosives are equivalent to about 1.6 million artillery shells Russia uses.
The satellite images and maritime traffic data by WP and C4ADS reveal that Russian ships traveled between North Korea and Russia from August to January this year.
Russian cargo ships anchored at the North Korean port of Najin and then entered the ports of Vostochny and Dunai. Most explosives started being transported to various places within a week of arriving in Russia.
The contents of what Russian ships transported are unknown. However, based on the satellite images analyzed by the U.S. and South Korea, it is speculated that weapons were transported from North Korea to Russia.
Furthermore, C4ADS believes the explosives appear to be ammunition as the transportation areas were near ammunition storage facilities despite the documented records.
It is also reported that satellite images revealed new protective storage at a few explosive transportation locations.
Margaux Garcia, a Russia analyst at C4ADS, observed that the construction of large storage facilities suggests the explosives might be ammunition. Additionally, the movement of goods westward toward the Russia-Ukraine border indicates Russia’s likely intention to use this ammunition in the Ukraine war.
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