North Korea has allegedly sent more than 13,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia since mid-2022,  according to a Defense Intelligence Agency report, Newsweek informs.

North Korea delivered weapons shipments to Russia that could hold more than 6 million 152-millimeter artillery shells through its eastern port of Najin over the two years.

The number of shipments revealed on Tuesday represents a twofold increase since February, when Defense Minister Shin Won-sik told reporters the North had sent an estimated 6,700 shopping containers allegedly carrying arms to Russia.

In exchange for military support, North Korea is believed to be receiving technological aid from Russia, particularly in North Korea's missile and spy satellite programs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, held bilateral talks in June, where they signed a partnership agreement.

The two leaders held talks before signing the treaty, which pledged to provide military aid to one another if either nation was attacked by another country.