Russia may have resumed secret arms shipments from North Korea
Illustrative photo: Russia may have resumed secret arms supplies from North Korea (Getty Images)
Russia may have resumed secret arms shipments from North Korea after a two-month pause, according to new satellite images showing movement of the Russian cargo vessel Lady R, previously linked to illicit transfers from the DPRK, according to NK Pro.
According to Planet Labs satellite imagery analysis, the Lady R vessel, sanctioned internationally for its role in illicit arms transfers, has once again been detected in the northeastern North Korean port of Rason. This marks its first visit in two months and, experts believe, may signal preparations for a new weapons shipment.
Ship movements
Analysts report that on October 2, Lady R unloaded containers in Rason. Earlier, it had docked at Russia’s Vostochny Port from September 24 to 26, apparently preparing for the voyage. The following day, the vessel was spotted near another pier where new containers had been accumulating since mid-September.
Unknown cargo contents
The exact contents of the containers, transported since August 2023, remain unclear. However, experts suggest they likely contain military supplies, possibly moved not only by sea but also via rail links between Russia and North Korea.
Concealment tactics
Satellite analysts note that the prolonged storage of containers on the pier without immediate loading may indicate they are either empty or used as cover for other cargo types, a strategy designed to obscure the true purpose of the shipments.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently reaffirmed his intention to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal, calling the development of its “shield and sword” a central national policy priority.
Meanwhile, the United States has imposed new sanctions on North Korea and Myanmar, accusing them of cooperation that generates revenue for weapons-of-mass-destruction and ballistic-missile programs.
