US accuses South Africa of providing arms to Russia

Ambassador says weapons were brought to Russia on cargo ship from Simon's Town naval base, local media reports

The US ambassador to South Africa has accused the country of covertly providing arms to Russia - a charge that drew an angry rebuke from Pretoria.

Reuben Brigety told a media briefing on Thursday that the US believed weapons and ammunition had been loaded on to a Russian freighter that docked at a Cape Town naval base in December.