Russia began directly supply oil to North Korea despite UN sanctions against Pyongyang imposed in 2017 in response to nuclear weapons tests. The Financial Times newspaper writes about this.
According to the publication, oil deliveries began on March 7 – These are the first documented deliveries since the introduction of UN sanctions. At least five North Korean oil tankers left the Russian port of Vostochny in the Far East in March, according to satellite imagery. The two ships then sailed to the North Korean port of Chongjin, where they apparently unloaded, the Financial Times reported.
Russian United Services Institute (RUSI) researcher Joseph Byrne said some of the ships were listed UN – this means they cannot even enter foreign ports.
"These oil shipments represent a full-scale attack on the sanctions regime, which is now on the brink of collapse.", – said Hugh Griffiths, the former coordinator of the UN group that monitors compliance with sanctions against the DPRK.
As the Financial Times notes, in August last year, the DPRK began supplying Russia with ammunition that was used by Moscow in the war with Ukraine. According to RUSI, the port of Vostochny was also used as a transshipment point for Russian ships that were allegedly involved in arms deliveries.
"What we are seeing now – this is a clear barter agreement “weapons in exchange for oil”, openly violating the sanctions that Vladimir Putin personally signed, – said Hugh Griffiths.
As the newspaper writes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment.
Prepared by: Sergei Daga