If there were any doubts about the breadth of the alliance between North Korea and Russia, they were cast aside forever this week. First, a very exotic shipment of gift animal fauna arrived at Pyongyang ports. Almost simultaneously, but in the opposite direction of the route, a shipment of arms arrived in Russia. Finally, satellite images revealed the greatest of treasures. A plunder with the most “valuable” asset that exceeds all sanctions: oil.

Tigers and bears. This week, Russia transferred more than 70 animals to Pyongyang’s central zoo, including an African lion, two brown bears, five white cockatoos and 45 pheasants, all of which became “a gift from the Russian people to the Korean people.” The gesture, led by Russian Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov, underlined the growing ties between Russia and North Korea amid the war in Ukraine.

According to Kozlov, animals have traditionally played a special role in relations between states as indicators of support, kindness and care. The delivery was accompanied by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo, and published images show the animals being kept in cages during transport and receiving “gifts” from local officials.

“Gift” back. There is no doubt that this move by Russia is another gesture in the context of close cooperation between the two countries, which signed a mutual defense agreement in June. This agreement obligates Russia and North Korea to help each other if attacked, and that is exactly what Korea is doing with its Russian counterpart.

Like? The day after the animal shipment became known, it was learned that Korea had sent powerful artillery to Russia, including 170 mm Koksan self-propelled howitzers and 240 mm multi-barreled rocket systems. Considered the most powerful weapons in the North Korean arsenal, these weapons apparently complement the thousands of North Korean troops deployed on the Russian front.

An important gunner. Koksan systems have a range of up to 60 km and a high firing capacity, making them ideal for fast and strategic attacks. Although based on some old Soviet technology, experts say North Korean weapons are reliable and easy to maintain. A shipment that once again underscores the importance of artillery in a war dominated by incessant bombardments, with both sides dependent on their own systems to inflict significant damage on the enemy.

The move also underscores, at least in part, Biden’s green light, which other allies followed with missiles into Ukraine. In the background there is a fear: the arrival of North Korean systems increases Russia’s capacity to sustain the bombing campaign; This worries Kiev, which does not stop reminding itself of the lack of ammunition from the West. Moreover, the arms transfer from Pyongyang intensifies global tensions as it raises questions about the possibility of future technological or military exchanges between Russia and North Korea.

The mother of all “gifts”. Finally, a few hours ago, a special BBC episode revealed how far these relations between Russia and North Korea have gone. Thanks to satellite images and analysis by the Open Source Center, it is known that Russia has sent more than one million barrels of oil to North Korea since March 2024.

As the media suggests, this supply should be Pyongyang’s payment for the weapons and troops it provides to Moscow for the war in Ukraine, but at the same time, and just as importantly, it represents a violation of UN sanctions that limit oil imports from North Korea to 500,000 barrels . annual.

secret transfers The footage reveals that North Korean tankers made as many as 43 trips to the Russian port of Vostochny, where the ships arrived empty and were left loaded to 90% of their capacity. These transfers, carried out without activating the ships’ tracking devices, allowed North Korea to receive higher quality oil directly, avoiding the riskier and more costly illegal methods it had previously used.

But there is more. The supply is supposed to guarantee North Korea the energy stability necessary to maintain its military machinery, including munitions factories and missile transport. In return, as we have seen, Pyongyang sent thousands of artillery and rocket containers to Russia, as well as troops, presumably to fight in Russia’s Kursk region. An alliance that strengthens the war capacity of both countries and defies international restrictions.

Defying sanctions. British media reported that Russia not only ignored sanctions but used its veto in the Security Council to disband the UN monitoring panel in March 2024. Thus, it became clear that more than half of the ships involved in these transfers were sanctioned, which should prevent them from accessing Russian ports. According to Eric Penton-Voak, the former leader of the UN delegation, this action shows a “new level of disregard” of international rules.

In short, it was already known that Russia and North Korea were cooperating, but all these “gifts” and gifts show the breadth of the ties between the two countries. It’s an uncomfortable alliance for the West, and a key idea that South Korea has already hinted at. Their “neighbors” may look to a significant improvement in weapons technologies behind all this aid in the war.

Image | Kremlin

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