In January, North Korea sharply reduced the volume of arms supplies to Russia.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by South Korea’s NK News, citing satellite imagery.

In particular, the article notes that in January, only one Russian container ship entered North Korean ports.

According to satellite images from Planet Labs, the vessel docked at a pier associated with arms exports on January 14. A day earlier, empty containers were unloaded from the ship at a neighboring port.

Analysis of the images suggests that the vessel was likely one of two Russian ships that previously played a key role in arms trade between Russia and the DPRK — either the Angara or the Lady R.

The previous such visit by a Russian vessel to a North Korean port was recorded on December 21 last year. After the ship departed, containers were unloaded at the pier over the following days and then waited another three weeks before being shipped.

NK News writes that Russian vessels usually visit North Korean ports at least three times a month. The reasons for the January slowdown are unknown. The authors suggest it may be linked to particularly harsh weather conditions this year. Analysts also do not rule out that the intensification of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine or internal political developments in the DPRK may have affected arms purchases from North Korea.