Canada sanctions companies transporting ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia

Archive photo: Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly (Getty Images)

Canada today, on May 21, imposed sanctions against companies that helped transport ballistic missiles from North Korea to Russia. These missiles were later used for bombardments in Ukraine, according to Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly.

"Today’s sanctions target individuals and entities that facilitated the illegal transportation of weapons, including ballistic missiles, from North Korea to Russia. There is recorded evidence that these weapons were used by the Kremlin to conduct its war of aggression against Ukraine in 2023 and 2024," the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes.

Who fell under restrictions

It is noted that two individuals who have been sanctioned today are high-ranking representatives of Russian companies closely linked to the Russian military and involved in transporting weapons from North Korea to Russia.

Six organizations that have been sanctioned today are Russian shipping companies that own, operate, and exploit aircraft as well as cargo vessels, which have been used to complete deliveries of weapons from North Korea to Russia.

Russia-North Korea cooperation threatens Europe

Joly reported that Canada condemns Russia's military cooperation with North Korea, which has implications for security in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world.

"Canada remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its people in the face of the Kremlin’s brutal actions," she added.

Sanctions for Russia-North Korea cooperation

Russia and North Korea began closely cooperating last year, with the Kremlin receiving weapons from North Korea. Western countries condemned this and threatened new sanctions. Recently, the US imposed sanctions on Russians who facilitated the supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia.

Then, the UK imposed sanctions on three companies trading weapons in exchange for oil between Russia and North Korea.