US accuses North Korea of secret ammunition shipments to Russia

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: The Hill

The United States has accused North Korea of secretly sending Russia a “significant number” of artillery shells to help in its war in Ukraine.

“We’re not talking dozens here. It’s a significant number of artillery shells,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday.

Biden administration officials believe North Korea is “covertly supplying” Russia and trying to make it appear as though the shells are being sent to countries in the Middle East or North Africa, Kirby said. He added that the secret shipments are “a sign of not only the degree to which North Korea is willing continue to bolster support Russia but a sign of Russia’s own defense articles shortages and needs.”

He did not provide a specific quantity of shells believed to be shipped or how they were being transported but said that U.S. officials are watching to see whether the shipments are received.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-accuses-north-korea-of-secret-ammunition-shipments-to-russia/ar-AA13Fhng

[Orrex]

1. Just think: if trump had succeeded in 2020,

These shipments wouldn’t be coming from North Korea, and they wouldn’t be secret.

Republikkkans would be lining up to take credit for it.

[maxsolomon]

6. Are you saying the US would be supplying shells to Putin?

Quite the supposition.

[Evolve Dammit]

2. and Iran. Looks like the sides for WWIII are being defined.

[Torchlight]

3. "That is miserable artillery performance. The Russians may experience the same thing"

During North Korea’s artillery bombardment of South Korea’s front-line Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, only 80 of the 300-400 weapons North Korea should have fired likely hit their target. About half of the North Korean shells launched ended up falling into waters before reaching the island.

“That is miserable artillery performance. The Russians may experience the same thing, which will not make them very happy,” says Bruce Bennett, a senior security expert at the California-based think tank Rand.

Observers doubt the usefulness of North Korean ammunition for the Russian campaign in Ukraine, which they say has depleted the military. There have been photos of barrel-busted Russian guns on social media.




(sourced from DefenseNews)

[ruet]

4. I Really Don't See A Problem With This. We Send Stuff to Ukraine, Right?

Go ahead and let the North Koreans waste their stockpiles by refilling the Ukrainian coffers.

Ukraine’s New Offensive Is Fueled by Captured Russian Weapons

[OnlinePoker]

5. What "secret" shipments. It was announced in September

Russia is buying 'millions of rockets and artillery' from North Korea for its Ukraine invasion: US

With few trade partners and an empty armory, the Kremlin is being forced to turn to North Korea to stock up on vital supplies to fuel its ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a recently declassified U.S. intelligence report.

A U.S. official told ABC News that Russia's Ministry of Defense was "in the process" of buying "millions of rockets and artillery shells" from the so-called Hermit Kingdom and that the purchases were an indication Moscow's military "continues to suffer from severe supply shortages in Ukraine, due in part to export controls and sanctions."

The official added that the intelligence community assessed it would likely become part of a pattern, with Russia seeking "to purchase additional North Korean military equipment going forward." (Neither country has yet responded to the report.)

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russia-buying-millions-rockets-artillery-north-korea-ukraine/story?id=89410990

[XorXor]

7. Can't be a good sign for Russia that they going that low

This entire war does highlight the state of all military powers to maintain long-running high intensity combat operations. Not just Russia either, but also the US and other western countries. Obviously the US isn't on a war footing, but we can see how quickly our weapons would be worn down in a real conflict. If only we did waste so much with our needless war in Iraq.

[Samrob]

8. No wonder Russian weapons are falling apart and being abandoned. nt