A Russian Ilyushin Il-62M was heading from Moscow to Pyongyang, with speculation of being carrying cargo of weapon from North Korea to Russia.
According to reports, the Russian plane remained at the airport in the North Korean capital for 36 hours.
Last July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited North Korea, where he attended a military parade organized by President Kim Jong Un.
Commenting on the trip, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “Washington has made clear its concerns about North Korea’s efforts to support Russia in its aggression against Ukraine, stressing that the United States will work to implement all its sanctions in this regard”.
Experts belive that any North Korean arm support to Russia would be a very significant escalation.
During the ongoing war in Ukraine Russia consumes Tanks greatly, such as the old types of T54 and T62, and there is a possibility of North Korea providing Russia with spare parts for these types because it maintains a large stock of them.
During the visit of the Russian Defense Minister to Pyongyang, the North Korean leader briefed him on drones, but it’s unlikely that they will be used soon in Ukraine.
According to the Institute of Military Affairs in South Korea, The North Korean drones aren’t in the final use stage, as North Korea lacks the ability to manufacture large quantities.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby, expressed US concern about the possibility of North Korea providing ammunition to Russia, stressing that Washington has information indicating that Russia is seeking to increase its military cooperation with North Korea.
For his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced, last Saturday, that his country suspects that the visit of the Russian Defense Minister to North Korea aims to secure supplies of weapons that his country needs in its war in Ukraine, adding that Moscow is touring its allies to supply weapons.
Last March, the White House announced that Moscow was seeking to obtain weapons from Pyongyang with the aim of using them in the war against Ukraine.
