north Korea has reportedly provided russia with at least 6.5 million artillery shells of various calibers, as well as hundreds of artillery and missile systems, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
In comments to LIGA.net, Ukrainian intelligence confirmed that Pyongyang has emerged as moscow’s primary foreign supplier of ammunition and artillery.
Read more: russia to Receive 240 Koksan Self-Propelled Guns and 240mm M-1991 Systems, Along with 150 KN-23 Missiles from North Korea
The deliveries include a wide range of weaponry, such as multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), self-propelled guns, towed howitzers, and mortars. Among the transferred equipment are:
- Several self-propelled launchers for KN-23/24 short-range ballistic missiles and KN-25 600mm MLRS,
- Approximately 120 M-1991 240mm MLRS,
- Around 120 M-1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled howitzers,
- About 100 D-74I 122mm towed howitzers,
- Nearly 100 M-1982 140mm mortars,
- At least 165 Type 63 107mm multiple rocket launchers.
While some of this equipment is considered outdated or unreliable, Ukrainian intelligence says the arms transfers are strategically beneficial for both parties.
"Although russian military assessments suggest that some models of North Korean artillery are less effective and difficult to maintain, the military-technical cooperation between north Korea and russia remains mutually beneficial," the intelligence service emphasized. "north Korea gains an opportunity to test and improve its domestically produced weapons under modern combat conditions, while russia uses the supplies to replenish battlefield losses."
Read more: Ukrainian Drone Operators Destroy North Korean M1989 Koksan SPG in russia’s Kursk Region
