Ukraine accuses North Korea of enabling Russian war crimes against civilians

A senior Ukrainian presidential aide declared on Wednesday that North Korea is aiding Russia in the killing of Ukrainian civilians. The aide, Mykhailo Podolyak, called for intensified international efforts to isolate both nations.

The statement came on the heels of a newly signed strategic partnership between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

This agreement, signed on Wednesday, strengthens military and political ties between the two countries, which have been growing since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“There is no doubt that North Korea is actively cooperating with Russia in the military sphere today and deliberately provides resources for the mass murder of Ukrainians,” Podolyak told AFP.

The United States and its allies have long accused North Korea of supplying ammunition and missiles to support Russia’s military efforts. Ukrainian forces have reported discovering fragments of North Korean munitions on the battlefield, which corroborates these claims.

Podolyak emphasized that North Korean artillery shipments are crucial for Russia’s ability to sustain its intense military offensives.

“This has an impact on the course of events in the war as a whole and significantly increases the number of civilian casualties,” he noted.

Criticizing the effectiveness of current international sanctions against Russia and North Korea, Podolyak urged for a more stringent global stance.

“It is obvious that the restrictive measures imposed on Russia and North Korea are not enough. We need a more rigorous approach to real isolation,” he said.

During his state visit to Pyongyang, Putin advocated for a reassessment of sanctions on North Korea, framing their alliance as a joint stand against “US hegemony.”