Kim Jong-un sent Putin 7,000 containers of shells (VIDEO)

The NDR was able to provide the Russian army with an advantage in shells in battles with Ukraine. Seoul suggested that in response to this, Pyongyang received essential supplies, including fuel.

Since last year, North Korea has sent regarding 7,000 containers of ammunition and other military equipment to Russia to help Moscow in its war in Ukraine. This was reported by the Associated Press with reference to South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won Sik.

Shin Won-sik shared the assessment at a news conference in Seoul hours following South Korean and Japanese militaries said North Korea had launched several short-range ballistic missiles into waters off the east coast, the agency said.

The minister said that according to the South Korean military, North Korea initially relied on sea transport, but is now increasingly using its railways to supply weapons to Russia across the land border, the agency noted.

In exchange for potentially sending several million artillery shells and other supplies, North Korea received more than 9,000 Russian containers, likely containing essential supplies, he said.

According to the Associated Press, Shin Won Sik has expressed suspicions that Russia is supplying fuel to North Korea, possibly in violation of UN Security Council sanctions that severely limit the import of oil and petroleum products into the DPRK.

While fuel shortages have likely forced North Korea to scale back winter combat training for its soldiers in recent years, the South Korean military estimates that the scope of that training expanded in January and February this year, Shin Won-sik said.