Explosions in military camps and Western sanctions seem to be taking a toll on the Russian war machine. According to intelligence reports, the Kremlin is already buying ammunition and weapons from North Korea. Military experts see this as an act of desperation.
Russia apparently gets artillery ammunition and grenades from North Korea because of Western sanctions. This is reported by the "New York Times", citing information recently released by the US secret service. The buying showed that sanctions were beginning to take hold, limiting Russia's ability to sustain its invasion of Ukraine, the paper quoted two US officials as saying.
The United States provided few details about the weapons, timing, or extent of delivery. According to the newspaper, there is still no way to independently check the sale. A US official said it is expected that Russia will try to acquire other North Korean equipment in addition to short-range missiles and artillery shells.
The report's release comes days after the announcement that Iran was supplying combat drones to Russia. According to the Pentagon, however, many of these drones are defective. According to a Pentagon spokesman, importing hundreds of Iranian drones of various designs is likely part of Russia's plans.
Both Iran and North Korea are largely cut off from international trade due to US and international sanctions. Business with Russia therefore does not pose a major risk for either country. Buying arms from North Korea would, however, violate United Nations resolutions aimed at curbing the proliferation of arms from Pyongyang.
Rather, the new agreement with North Korea shows the desperation in Moscow, military expert Frederick W. Kagan told the New York Times. The turn to North Korea is a sign that Russia appears unable to produce the most basic materials needed for a war. "The only reason the Kremlin should buy artillery shells or missiles from North Korea or any other country is because Putin is unwilling or unable to mobilize the Russian economy even remotely for war," Kagan said.
Ukraine had launched a counteroffensive in several places and destroyed Russian ammunition dumps. According to Ukrainian sources, there were four in the Cherson region alone. At the end of August, ammunition detonated in a Russian depot near the village of Timonowo. The governor of the Russian region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, spoke of self-ignition of the projectiles, which had not yet been defused. In high heat, the lens effect, which amplifies sunlight, played a role. The Interfax agency reported that no one was injured.
Similar incidents with high levels of damage have also occurred in the past two weeks on the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia. Russian authorities spoke of accidents and negligence. However, circumstances suggest that these were more likely Ukrainian attacks.
