US, Japan, S.Korea Condemn 'Confirmed' North Korean Weapons Shipments to Russia

Facts

• Washington, Seoul ,and Tokyo have strongly condemned the supply of military equipment and munitions from North Korea to Russia, claiming in a joint statement that several weapons deliveries have been completed following reports that containers had arrived in a munitions storage facility near the Russia-Ukraine border.¹
• The trio stated on Wednesday that, in addition to a considerable increase on the human toll in Ukraine, the shipments could prompt violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and undermine international efforts to prevent North Korea from gaining sensitive technologies.²
• The news comes amid concerns that North Korea could receive nuclear or ballistic missiles in exchange for its military assistance. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has declined to comment on the weapons deliveries but reaffirmed close relations with Pyongyang.²
• Meanwhile, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia conducted a drone strike on a nuclear plant in the Khmelnytsky region on Wednesday, injuring 20 people and causing light damage, but not affecting its operations. While reporting 'powerful explosions' near the plant, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi highlighted the dangers posed by war to nuclear safety.³
• Ukraine's Energy Ministry added that the blasts also damaged nearby 'administrative and laboratory buildings' as well as power lines, causing blackouts for more than 1.8K consumers in Netishyn and Slavuta. Kyiv has claimed to have destroyed all 11 Russian drones allegedly launched in the attacks.⁴
• Russia's Defense Ministry reported Thursday that their forces killed roughly 800 Ukrainian troops, and destroyed two German-made Leopard tanks and 27 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day in Ukraine.⁵

Sources: ¹The Guardian, ²The Hill, ³BBC News, ⁴The Telegraph and ⁵TASS.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by RT International. In its desire to intervene militarily across the globe, the US has not only stretched itself thin but also pushed its opponents toward cooperation with Moscow. Throughout the Cold War and up until this moment, the West had no reason to fear Russian involvement with the likes of North Korea or Iran, but now that it's ineffectively funded Ukraine while antagonizing Tehran in the Middle East, other nations have the opportunity to lessen Washington's influence and redefine the global order.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Cumnock Chronicle. With reports of over 1K containers shipped from North Korea to Russia having been confirmed, the world should be on extremely high alert. Kim Jong Un's regime, which has launched over 100 missile tests since last year, is likely working with Moscow to obtain sophisticated technology, including spy satellites. As he wreaks havoc on the free society of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has now potentially offered to help Pyongyang do the same to his neighboring democracies. The West must bolster its military preparedness more than ever before.

Predictions