In exchange for weapons, russia starts direct oil supplies to DPRK - Financial Times
Kyiv • UNN
russia has begun direct oil supplies to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions, and Pyongyang is providing russia with weapons in return, a barter deal that openly violates sanctions.
Ignoring UN sanctions, russia has started direct oil supplies to North Korea. In return, Pyongyang provides russia with weapons. This was reported by UNN with reference to Financial Times.
Details
At least five North Korean tankers have visited Vostochny Port in the russian Far East this month to receive oil products, according to satellite imagery provided by the British think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
It is noted that the shipments, which began on March 7, are the first documented direct maritime deliveries from russia since the UN Security Council, with Moscow's consent, imposed severe restrictions on oil shipments in 2017 in response to Pyongyang's nuclear test.
These oil supplies are a direct attack on the sanctions regime, which is now on the verge of collapse
The publication adds that the North Korean-flagged vessels , which are classified as oil tankers, visited the same berth owned by a russian oil company in the Eastern Port, where they appeared to be loading.
Satellite imagery confirmed that two of these vessels then sailed from the East Port to the North Korean port of Cheongjin, where they were likely to unload.
The ships we saw at the russian terminals are some of the largest vessels in the North Korean fleet, and they are constantly coming in and out of the port
Addendum
The Financial Times noted that the deliveries come after North Korea began shipping thousands of containers of ammunition to russia in August last year.
According to RUSI, the Eastern Port was also used as a hub for russian ships allegedly involved in arms trafficking between the two countries.
What we can see now is an obvious arms-for-oil barter deal that openly violates the sanctions approved by Vladimir Putin personally
Recall
Earlier , UNN , citing The New York Times, wrote that Moscow may be trying to help Pyongyang with access to the international financial system in exchange for missiles and ammunition.
