North Korea has sent sent 1,000 containers of weapons to boost Russia’s ‘war machine’ in Ukraine and Kim Jong-un asked Vladimir Putin for NUCLEAR bomb technology in return, White House says

North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of weapons to Russia in recent weeks to fuel the war in Ukraine, the White House said.

Speculation about a possible deal between Pyongyang and Moscow has grown since last month, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and visit key military sites.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US believes Kim is seeking advanced Russian weapons technology in return to bolster his military and nuclear programs.

The White House released images it said showed the containers were loaded onto a Russian-flagged ship before being transported by train to southwestern Russia.

An image released by the US government on October 13, 2023, allegedly shows the transfer of military equipment from North Korea to Russia

A satellite photo shows increased activity at the Tumangang rail facility in North Korea

Containers were shipped between September 7 and October 1 between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia.

Kirby said: “We condemn the DPRK (North Korea) for providing Russia with this military equipment, which will be used to attack Ukrainian cities and kill Ukrainian civilians and further Russia’s illegal war.

“In return for support, we estimate that Pyongyang is seeking military assistance from Russia, including fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or other materials and other advanced technologies.”

The US revealed the conclusions of its intelligence gathering on Friday as North Korea criticized the arrival of a US aircraft carrier battle group in South Korea.

Pyongyang called it a provocation and threatened again6 to use nuclear weapons to defend itself.

The US has accused North Korea of ​​previously supplying ammunition, artillery shells and rockets to Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during a meeting in Vladivostok, Russia on April 25, 2019

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) in Vladivostok on September 16, 2023

Intercontinental ballistic missile test at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang

North Korea has previously denied supplying Moscow with weapons.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, released satellite photos last week showing a sharp increase in rail traffic along the North Korea-Russia border.

He said satellite images taken on Oct. 5 captured “a dramatic and unprecedented level of freight railcar traffic” at the Tumangang rail facility.

During Kim’s six-day trip to Russia, his longest trip abroad as a leader, the two countries said they discussed strengthening their defense ties, but did not reveal specific steps. The trip to Russia was also Kim’s first trip abroad since the pandemic, during which North Korea imposed strict border controls for more than three years.

Russia and North Korea have drawn closer diplomatically since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022.