US imposes sanctions over ballistic missile shipments from North Korea to Russia
The US Department of State has imposed sanctions on three Russian organisations and one individual involved in the transfer and testing of ballistic missiles to North Korea, which Russia uses to launch missile attacks against Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced this.
The restrictions include:
- Russian state-owned airline 224th Flight Detachment;
- its CEO, Vladimir Mikheichik;
- the Russian military missile testing facility, the Vladimirsky Advanced Military Research Complex;
- the Russian Ashuluk missile test site.
The US has also identified aircraft involved in the transport of DPRK ballistic missiles and related cargo in November and December 2023. These are two Il-76s and two An-124s. The United States designated them as "blocked property".
In the summer of 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine notified Vladimir Mikheichik of suspicion of involvement in the conduct of an aggressive war against Ukraine. He and his unit helped transport weapons and fighters of the Wagner PMC from the Middle East to Ukraine.
On January 11, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said that in addition to the planned supply of short-range ballistic missiles, the DPRK could sell Russia new types of tactical guided missiles.
