The White House has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions for use in Ukraine, a move that U.S. officials say threatens regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts. This disclosure comes amid suspicions that the September summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin may have facilitated an arms deal. U.S. National Security Council coordinator John Kirby expressed concern over potential reciprocal Russian support to North Korea, including advanced military technology. The U.S. released images tracking the movement of these containers from Najin, North Korea, to Dunay, Russia and then by rail to an ammunition depot near Tikhoretsk in Russia, close to the Ukrainian border.

The U.S. is contemplating various measures, including new sanctions against those enabling these arms deals and raising the issue aggressively at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Seoul and Washington emphasize that any such transfers violate UNSC resolutions Russia has previously supported. The announcement also coincides with speculation about North Korea and Iran’s potential role in replenishing Hamas’ weapons and an upcoming meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Putin, where they might further discuss military cooperation.