WASHINGTON Reuters - The US government on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Slovakian man for trying to arrange the sale of over two dozen types of North Korean weapons and munitions to Russia to help Moscow replace military equipment lost in its war with Ukraine.
Washington warned that Russia is trying to acquire additional weapons from North Korea, is the latest in a series of sanctions the U.S. has imposed on Moscow and its attempts to obtain military equipment. The conflict in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands and reduced many cities to rubble.
The U.S. Treasury DepartmentTreasury Department said in a statement that it had imposed sanctions on Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev for having attempted to import, export, or re-export any arms or related materiel. Between the end of 2022 and early 2023, Mkrtychev worked with North Korean officials to obtain over two dozen kinds of weapons and munitions for Russia in exchange for materials from commercial aircraft, raw materials and commodities to be sent to North Korea, the Treasury said.
It said Mkrtychev's negotiations with North Korean and Russian officials detailed mutually beneficial cooperation and that Mkrtychev confirmed Russia's readiness to receive military equipment from North Korea with senior Russian officials.
There have been reports of growing food shortages in North Korea, although North Korea has denied suggestions that it cannot provide for its citizens.
Thursday s move freezes Mkrtychev's U.S. assets and prevents Americans from dealing with him. Those who engage in certain transactions with him also risk being hit with sanctions.
Russia's embassy in Washington and North Korea's mission to the United Nations in New York did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Mkrtychev could not be reached for comment.
The White House later on Thursday warned that Russia is actively trying to acquire additional weapons from North Korea in exchange for food aid.
John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said that we remain concerned that North Korea will provide further support to Russia's military operations against Ukraine. We have new information that Russia is trying to acquire additional munitions from North Korea.