Official statements from the Russian government

Russia Gave Missiles, Oil to North Korea for Troops, Ballistic Missiles in Ukraine War

Nov 22, 2024, 09:49 AM

South Korea's national security adviser Shin Won-sik stated that Russia has provided North Korea with anti-air missiles, air defense equipment, financial support, and military technologies, including those needed to enhance North Korea's nuclear program, in exchange for the deployment of at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers and ballistic missiles to support Russia's war against Ukraine. Additionally, Russia is estimated to have supplied North Korea with more than a million barrels of oil since March 2024, violating UN sanctions that ban countries from exporting more than 500,000 barrels of oil to North Korea per year. The oil is believed to be payment for the weapons and troops North Korea has sent to Russia. Satellite imagery analysis from the UK-based Open Source Centre and the BBC indicates that North Korean tankers made 43 trips to Russia with their tracking systems turned off.