ANKARA 

An American think tank claimed the latest satellite imagery showed a "dramatic" surge in rail traffic along the border between North Korea and Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's recent meeting last month.

Beyond Parallel, a project of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in its latest report Friday, that satellite imagery of North Korea’s Tumangang Rail Facility at the border with Russia captured Thursday shows an unprecedented number of freight railcars, totaling 73.

"The level of rail traffic is far greater than what Beyond Parallel has observed at the facility during the past five years, even compared to pre-Covid-19 levels," it said.

It said the "unprecedented" railcar movements indicate Pyongyang’s supply of arms and ammunition to Russia.

Last week, the Pentagon described Iran and North Korea as “persistent threats” in its strategy for countering weapons of mass (WMD) destruction.

North Korea dismissed the report and said the world's biggest threat of WMD comes from the US.

A war of words continued between the US and North Korea following the meeting last month between Putin and Kim, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia and North Korea's growing cooperation threatens global peace.

North Korea said recent progress in relations with Russia was its “sovereign” right and “foundation for regional stability.”

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid