The Daily An Armored Train and a Dangerous New Alliance
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Sep 14, 2023 Julian Barnes, a national security reporter for The New York Times, dives into Kim Jong-un's unprecedented visit to Russia to meet President Putin. He reveals how North Korea's artillery stocks are enticing for Russia amid its Ukraine conflict. The two leaders discuss potential arms deals, where North Korea could gain advanced technology and food aid. This alliance raises concerns about the destabilization of global diplomacy and enhances the threat North Korea poses, shifting the international balance as old tensions resurface.
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Kim Jong-un's Train Journey
- Kim Jong-un, in a rare move since the COVID pandemic, traveled by armored train to Russia.
- This unusual spectacle involved a slow, days-long journey from Pyongyang to Russia's Far East Cosmodrome.
Russia's Need for Artillery Shells
- Russia's primary need from North Korea is not advanced weaponry, but a large quantity of artillery shells.
- Artillery plays a crucial role in the Ukraine war, and both sides are depleting their stockpiles.
Russia's Artillery Shell Deficit
- While Russia is a major military producer, they are firing artillery shells at a rate far exceeding their production capacity, leading to a significant deficit.
- Furthermore, Russia's poor storage practices have rendered a significant portion of their existing stockpile unreliable.