The Russian ship, Angara, has completed at least eleven transports between ports in North Korea and Russia since August 2023, according to a report by the British think tank Rusi. Suspicions of weapons transport from North Korea to Russia have been raised due to satellite images that show the vessel’s activities.
The Angara was identified using its transponder of the AIS system at China’s Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard, which is known as China’s largest private ship repair company. Despite the US imposing sanctions on the ship in May 2022, it has continued operations between North Korean and Russian ports since August 2023.
The matter involving the Angara was brought up with Chinese authorities by the US when it was spotted in a Chinese port. The US has requested China not to support Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian partner countries have collaborated to impose sanctions in an effort to suppress military and economic support to Russia.
During his visit to Beijing this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed China’s support for Russia as a top agenda item. However, both the Chinese embassy in Washington and the Chinese Foreign Ministry denied any information regarding the Angara. The Russian Foreign Ministry and Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard also did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
