North Korea has supplied arms to the Russian mercenary group “Wagner,” the White House announced on Thursday, describing the group as a rival to the Russian Defense Ministry and other ministries in the fight for influence in the Kremlin.
North Korea sold Wagner cruise missiles last month in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, adding the United States would increase sanctions against the Wagner.
“Wagner is looking worldwide for arms suppliers to support its military operations in Ukraine,” Kirby told reporters.
“We can confirm that North Korea has completed the first deliveries of weapons to Wagner, who has paid for the equipment,” he said.
Wagner, which operates independently of the Russian Defense Ministry and is the main force behind the attack on Bakhmut, spends more than $100 million a month on its operations in Ukraine, Kirby said.
“‘Wagner’ is becoming a center of power that competes with the Russian military and other Russian ministries,” a White House National Security Council spokesman said.
