National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby said at the briefing today that North Korea is supplying arms and ammunition to the Wagner group to support Russia against Ukraine. Before the press, Kirby revealed photos of North Korea supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The imagery displayed at the White House briefing today shows how weapons are being transferred from North Korea to Russia.
“We estimate the Wagner Group has 50,000 personnel deployed in Ukraine,” Kirby revealed. He said that more than 90% of Wagner’s casualties had been ex-convicts plucked out of prison with no training and thrown into the fight. Kirby shared the assessment that Wagner will continue to recruit right out of Russian prisons.
Photos of North Korea supporting Russia’s war effort
Kirby said that new sanctions are being imposed against the group for their criminal activity and Wagner is now officially labeled as a transnational criminal organization. “We urge North Korea to cease weapons deliveries to Wagner immediately,” said Kirby from the White House podium.
Speaking about the war in Ukraine, Kirby said that “President Zelensky gets to determine what victory looks like.”
