Kim Jong Un 'Covertly' Supplying Artillery Shells To Vladimir Putin, US Says: Prepared To 'Counter This Activity'

The U.S. on Wednesday alleged that Kim Jong Un is secretly supplying Vladimir Putin with a "significant" number of artillery shells for the Russia-Ukraine war.

What Happened: The White House has concrete information that indicates North Korea was attempting to obscure the shipments by funneling them through Middle Eastern and North African countries, U.S. National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby told media, reported Reuters. 

See Also: Kim Jong Un Builds Ice Cream Factory For 'Welfare' Of North Korean People Amid Food Shortage, Global Sanctions

​​"Our indications are that the DPRK is covertly supplying, and we are going to monitor to see whether the shipments are received. We do have a sense on where they are going to transfer these shells," Kirby said. 

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said sanctions were among the options the administration considered for Pyongyang.

"Just as we're using every tool and will use every tool to counter the Iranian provision of weapons to Russia, we will do the same when it comes to the DPRK's provisions of weapons to Russia," said Price.

"There are existing sanctions on the books. We will look at additional tools and authorities that we may be able to call upon to counter this activity," he added.

The U.S. has previously alleged that Iran has supplied Putin with drones for the Ukraine war, which Tehran has denied.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said if it's proven that Moscow used Iranian drones in the Ukraine war, Tehran will not remain indifferent.

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