Aerial Images Show North Korea Violating Russian Oil Sanctions

An analysis of satellite images published by the BBC and the UK-based Open Source Center on Friday revealed that North Korea likely received over a million barrels of oil from Russia during the first eight months of this year, violating United Nations sanctions.

The report, posted on the Open Source Center’s website, stated that North Korean oil tankers made over 40 visits to Russia’s Vostochny Port since March, according to Reuters.

The report cited “dozens of high-resolution satellite images, data from the automatic identification system, and photographs from maritime reconnaissance missions monitoring North Korea’s violations of UN sanctions,” showing North Korean tankers loading repeatedly at the Russian port. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.