Recent satellite imagery has indicated that a cargo ship registered in North Korea, suspected of facilitating illegal arms shipments to Russia, has been anchored at a port in China for several months, as per reporting by Reuters on April 25. This imagery appears to support claims that North Korea is becoming a prime supplier of military hardware to Russia, supposedly including large quantities of ballistic missiles and in excess of 3 million artillery shells to Moscow.
There is evidence suggesting that these military shipments are crossing the shared border in the far east between Russia and North Korea. Concurrently, the U.K. think tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reports that the Angara, a cargo ship currently moored in China’s Zhejiang province, has been implicated in transporting North Korean military equipment to Russia via sea.
According to a U.S. State Department spokesperson, there are “credible, open-source reports” indicating that the Angara’s presence in China might be in breach of U.N. regulations that govern commerce with North Korea. This vessel, which the U.S. sanctioned in 2022, is believed to have made no less than 11 voyages between North Korea and Russia, based on RUSI’s findings.
When approached by Reuters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated it lacked information regarding the ship. Requests for comments from the Russian Foreign Ministry and the shipyard hosting the Angara went unanswered.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid an official visit to China on April 24, amidst reports that he would confront the Chinese regarding their backing of Russia’s ongoing offensive in Ukraine.
Growing trade with China has been instrumental in helping Moscow sustain its economy and bolster its military production in the face of Western sanctions.
The United States has repeatedly admonished China about supplying Russia with lethal military assistance and has called on Beijing to leverage its sway over Moscow to facilitate a cessation of hostilities.
For its part, China maintains that its relationship with Russia is normal and that it has refrained from furnishing either side of the Ukraine conflict with weapons.
FAQ Section
What is the significance of North Korea’s military supply to Russia?
North Korea’s provision of military supplies to Russia lends support to the latter’s military capabilities. If it involves significant quantities of arms like ballistic missiles and artillery shells, it can have a substantial impact on the conflict dynamics and prolong military engagements.
Why is the Angara’s presence in a Chinese port controversial?
The Angara being docked in a Chinese port is controversial due to allegations of it being used to transport military cargo from North Korea to Russia. This activity could potentially violate U.N. sanctions and international regulations concerning trade with North Korea.
Has China provided military aid to Russia or Ukraine during the conflict?
China has declared that it has not supported either Russia or Ukraine with weapons during the ongoing conflict, maintaining that its interactions with Russia are normal state-to-state relations.
What is the response of the international community to the reported shipments?
The U.S. has issued warnings against such activities, and the EU is preparing a new round of sanctions aimed at addressing the transportation of military equipment, including moves that could target the ships involved in these operations.
Is the ship the Angara sanctioned by any international authority?
Yes, the Angara was sanctioned by the United States in 2022.
Conclusion
The presence of the Angara in a Chinese port raises concerns regarding the clandestine transfer of North Korean arms to Russia, which could contravene international regulations. As the U.S. and EU continue to scrutinize and sanction entities involved in supporting Russia’s military efforts, the scrutiny over China’s harboring of the Angara underscores the complex geopolitics surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Note: The information provided here is a summarized version based on satellite imagery and reports by authorities and think tanks. For detailed insights and updates, please refer to the original source linked [here].