North Korea is secretly supplying Russia with ammunition, Kirby says

North Korea is secretly supplying Russia with a signficant amount of ammunition, attempting to disguise the shipments as deliveries to the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Wednesday.

"We're not talking dozens here. It's a significant number of artillery shells," Kirby said. "This is a sign of not only the degree to which North Korea is willing to continue to bolster support Russia, but a sign of Russia's own defense articles, shortages and needs.”

The NSC spokesperson refused to give an estimate on the exact amount.

Sanctions and export controls have forced Russian President Vladimir Putin to collaborate with “outside sources” such as North Korea and Iran — which has provided drones and other weapons — for supplies in its war against Ukraine, Kirby said. The U.S. is monitoring whether the shipments from North Korea are actually received.

Kirby did not provide evidence to support the claims or detail other weapons in the shipment. The shipments were first reported by CNN.

In September, Pyongyang denied the charges that it was supplying Moscow with millions of rockets and artillery shells. At the time, a U.S. official said they expected Russia to try and purchase more military equipment from North Korea in the future.