Russia’s refined petroleum exports to North Korea reached 2,937 tons in February, according to new data made public this week by the United Nations and analyzed by NK Pro.

The monthly total marked a 42 percent increase compared to January — but also a 33 percent drop compared to February 2019.

The export numbers cover a monthlong period during which North Korea was said to have completely shut down its borders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into the country.

Cross-border trade and shipments by sea into the North were reported to have halted almost entirely beginning