According to the British think tank Rusi, the Russian ship known as the Angara has completed at least eleven transports between ports in North Korea and Russia since August 2023. Satellite images show that the ship has been suspected of transporting weapons from North Korea to Russia, report Reuters.
The vessel, Angara, has been documented in satellite images at China’s Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard since February. The shipyard is identified as China’s largest private ship repair company. The vessel was identified using its transponder of the AIS system, which shares navigation and identification information.
The Angara had its transponder turned off when it docked in ports in North Korea and Russia in January but turned it back on as it moved towards China. The US imposed sanctions on the ship in May 2022, but it has continued operations between North Korean and Russian ports since August 2023.
The matter involving the Angara was raised with Chinese authorities by the US when the ship was spotted in a Chinese port. The US has requested China not to support Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian partner countries have collaborated to impose sanctions in an attempt to suppress military and economic support to Russia.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinkenin has visited Beijing this week, with China’s support for Russia believed to be a top agenda item. The Chinese embassy in Washington and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have both stated they have no information regarding the Angara. The Russian Foreign Ministry and the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.