Ukrainian soldiers reportedly use North Korean rockets seized from Russians

Kyiv: Ukrainian soldiers have been seen using North Korean rockets that were allegedly seized by a "friendly" country before being delivered to Ukraine, said a report in Financial Times. The outlet indicated that Ukraine's defence ministry suggested the arms were captured from the Russians.

The United States has previously accused North Korea of supplying arms to Russia, including alleged shipments by sea. However, concrete evidence has not been provided. North Korean weapons have not been widely observed on the battlefields in Ukraine. Both North Korea and Russia deny any involvement in arms transactions, reported Reuters.

The North Korean rockets were reportedly shown by Ukrainian troops who were operating Soviet-era Grad multiple-launch rocket systems near the war-torn city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Bakhmut has been the site of prolonged and brutal fighting.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang this week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. It was the first visit by Moscow's top defence official to North Korea since the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991. During his visit, Shoigu was photographed viewing banned North Korean ballistic missiles alongside leader Kim Jong Un at a military expo in Pyongyang. This move signals a deepening of ties between Russia and North Korea as both nations navigate their respective relations with the United States.

The use of North Korean rockets by Ukrainian soldiers adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.