On the 11th (local time), the U.S. Joe Biden administration imposed sanctions on Russian state-owned companies for supporting North Korea’s short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) to Russia. Despite North Korea and Russia’s denials, the Biden administration, which released detailed information about the organizations involved in missile transport and testing, repeatedly warned, saying, “We will not hesitate to take additional measures.”
The U.S. State Department announced on this day that it was designating Russia’s national airline, the 224th Air Wing, the Vladimirovka Advanced Weapons and Research Complex (VAWARC), and the Ashurk Missile Test Site, as targets of sanctions. Additionally, Russian national Vladimir Vladimirovich Michake, the general manager of the 224th Air Wing, was also added to the sanctions list.
The Biden administration previously sanctioned a Russian shipping company in connection with providing artillery shells to North Korea, but this is the first time it has sanctioned a Russian state-owned airline. The State Department said, “We have learned that aircraft belonging to this company were used in the transshipment of North Korean ballistic missiles in November of last year,” and disclosed specific information, including the identification numbers of two aircraft belonging to this company and four aircraft belonging to the Russian Military Transport Aviation Command. He then pointed out, “The 224th Aviation Group is an airline that supported the Russian mercenary company Wagner Group.”
When North Korea and Russia refuted the White House’s disclosure of information on the transfer of SRBMs as “groundless accusations,” the ‘North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23)’ used on the battlefield in Ukraine was not only transported by Russian military aircraft, but also military facilities. It was emphasized that they are aware of everything that has been tested and deployed in practice.
U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken issued a statement on this day, saying, “The transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia is an act that supports Russia’s war of aggression and undermines the global non-proliferation system,” and added, “We are imposing sanctions on individuals and groups involved in arms trade between North Korea and Russia.” “We will use all available means,” he said.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.