**Russia and North Korea Accused of Illicit Military Cooperation**
A recent report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) has exposed a shocking level of cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The two countries have been accused of engaging in unlawful military activities, including arms transfers and joint military operations.
According to the MSMT report, released on May 29, North Korea sent at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia in 2024 alone. These missiles were then used by Russian forces to attack Ukrainian cities, causing significant damage and loss of life.
The report also reveals that Russia delivered over 9 million rounds of artillery and rocket launcher ammunition to its own military depots from North Korean-flagged vessels. This is a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) that prohibit such transfers.
Furthermore, the MSMT found evidence of Russian training of North Korean troops for combat operations against Ukrainian forces. In 2024, over 11,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast for training and combat operations.
**Aiding Moscow’s War Efforts**
The report suggests that these illicit activities have contributed significantly to Russia’s ability to wage war on Ukraine. The MSMT notes that the arms transfers and joint military operations between Russia and North Korea have enabled Moscow to increase its missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, targeting critical civilian infrastructure.
Moreover, the report reveals that Russia has provided significant support to North Korea’s ballistic missile development program, leading to improvements in missile guidance performance.
**Violations of UN Embargoes**
The documented arms transfers between Russia and North Korea are a clear violation of longstanding United Nations embargoes on material shipments between UN member states and North Korea. This illicit cooperation has allowed both countries to circumvent international sanctions and continue their aggressive behavior against Ukraine.
**Escalating Tensions**
The situation is further complicated by the recent surge in Russian aerial attacks against Ukraine, including drone and missile strikes. The MSMT report confirms that Russia has used North Korean-made ballistic missiles in these attacks, which contain foreign parts provided by third-party distributors.
As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, it is clear that the international community must take action to prevent further violations of UN embargoes and promote peace and stability in the region.
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