Main image: The R-122 missile, produced by North Korea and in service with Russian military forces. Ukraine. Summer 2023. Photo: Ukraine Weapons Tracker
North Korea is increasing railway shipments of undisclosed cargo to the Russian Federation. This information was reported by Beyond Parallel.
A satellite image of the North Korean railway station Tumangan on the border with Russia, taken on October 5, 2023, shows an unprecedented number of freight cars, totaling approximately 73. The level of railway activity is much higher than what Beyond Parallel has observed at the facility over the past five years, even when compared to pre-Covid-19 levels.
For example, North Korea supplies a wide range of munitions to Russia, while Russians offer aircraft to North Koreans. The widespread use of tarpaulin to cover transport crates, containers, and equipment prevents the identification of the cargo at the Tumangan railway facility.
Events at other locations on the Tumangan facility indicate that North Korea not only plans to restore border traffic to pre-Covid-19 levels but also expand its capacity at this border crossing.
Evidence of this expansion includes the construction of new warehouse areas.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that there are "grounds to believe they were going to discuss military deliveries."
He added that regardless of the direction of military exchange, the United States will "impose sanctions without hesitation when and if appropriate."
Satellite imagery shows that starting five days after the "North Korea-Russia" summit, there has been a gradual but steady increase in the number of freight cars.
It was on this facility that five Russian cars from Hasan were spotted on November 18, 2022, when the White House confirmed that North Korea was supplying weapons to the Russian PMC "Wagner."
In addition to these measures, over the past two years, a protective wall with numerous guard posts has been constructed, encompassing warehouse buildings and the southern part of the railway tracks.
These measures are likely part of North Korea's efforts to exercise strict control over population movement and prepare for handling sensitive cargo at the border, as the country seeks to strengthen its ties with Russia.
