A previously dormant port in North Korea, near the Russian border, has reportedly become active again, raising concerns about the trade in arms that may be reaching the frontlines in Ukraine. The Najin port has shown increased activity in satellite imagery from October to December, with a notable influx of ships, loading and unloading of shipping containers, and preparations for rail transportation of goods. This uptick in activity coincided with the United States accusing North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia. The White House provided images that allegedly showed weapons being delivered to a Russian depot in Tikhoretsk for use in Ukraine. The shipment included hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and raised concerns about North Korea’s role in the conflict.
The revived activity in the Najin port has been observed amid ongoing tensions over military aid to Ukraine, with the US Congress and the European Union facing divisions on the issue. The activity at the port is seen as a potential source of munitions that could contribute to the conflict in Ukraine. North Korea has consistently denied accusations of supplying arms to Russia, but satellite data analysis suggests otherwise.
According to reports, satellite imagery from December 9 showed the Russian container ship Angara, sanctioned by the US, unloading cargo in Najin’s port. Containers from North Korea were reportedly waiting to be loaded at an adjacent pier. Analysts suggest that while the exact nature of the cargo cannot be confirmed with available imagery, the significant volume of transferred containers and the frequency of round trips indicate ongoing exchanges between North Korea and Russia, potentially involving weapons and military supplies. The situation raises concerns about the role of North Korea in contributing to conflicts and the potential consequences for international security.
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