Updated at 10:28 a.m. KST on Feb. 21 with additional information on the Kum Ya’s current location.

A North Korean vessel with a shady past has made an unusual voyage in Russian waters, with one expert suggesting its route could point to a possible ship-to-ship transfer in violation of international sanctions.

Vessel tracking data shows the North Korea-flagged 6,843-ton Kum Ya (IMO 9004073) departed last weekend from the DPRK port of Chongjin to Vanino, a major Russian port listed as its destination.

However, the vessel never reached Vanino. 

It first registered a