Russia is buying millions of artillery shells and missiles from North Korea, according to recently declassified US intelligence documents, in a sign that global sanctions have severely restricted its supply chains and forced Moscow to turn to rogue states for military supplies.

The New York Times revelation comes days after Russia received the first shipments of Iranian-made drones, some of which US officials said had mechanical problems.

US administration officials have said Russia’s decision to turn to Iran, and now North Korea, is a sign that sanctions and export controls imposed by the United States and Europe are preventing Moscow from getting supplies for its army.

The United States has provided few details from declassified information about the exact armament, timing, or lot size, and there is still no way to independently verify the sale. A US official said that in addition to short-range missiles and artillery shells, Russia is expected to try to purchase additional North Korean equipment in the future.

“The Kremlin should be concerned that it is obligated to buy something from North Korea,” said Mason Clark, who heads the Russia Watch Group at the Institute for the Study of War.

Broad economic sanctions, at least so far, have not harmed Russia. The invasion-driven energy prices filled its coffers and allowed Moscow to soften the impact of shutting down its banks from international funding and restricting exports and imports. Sanctions against individual Russian oligarchs have also failed to undermine the power of President Vladimir Putin.

But US officials said that when it came to Russia’s ability to build up its military, the economic actions of Europe and the United States were effective. US and European sanctions have blocked Russia’s ability to buy weapons or purchase electronics to build these weapons.

Moscow hoped that China would be willing to bypass these export controls and continue deliveries to the Russian army. But in recent days, US officials have said that while China has been willing to buy Russian oil at a discount, Beijing has, at least so far, enforced export controls against Moscow’s armed forces and has not sought to sell either military equipment or spare parts. . .

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has repeatedly warned China that if Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., China’s largest computer chip maker, or other companies violate sanctions against Russia, the United States will effectively shut down those businesses, cutting off access to American technology they need. semiconductors.

Thus, with most countries acting cautiously in the face of US pressure, Russia has focused its deals on Iran and North Korea.