North Korea remains an active supporter of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, playing a key role in supplying weapons to the Russian military. According to the latest data from Yonhap news agency, North Korea has lost at least 1,100 soldiers who participated in the fighting on Russia’s side. However, the Kim Jong Un regime is prepared to send new forces and kamikaze drones to strengthen Russian positions.
U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the initiative to involve North Korean troops came directly from Pyongyang. Moscow quickly agreed to this proposal, highlighting the Russian military’s growing dependence on external support.
North Korean Weapons in the War Against Ukraine According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, up to 60% of the artillery shells used by Russia are supplied by North Korea. Pyongyang is providing Russia with 170mm M1989 howitzers and the corresponding ammunition, all of which are manufactured within North Korea itself.
In exchange, Moscow is sharing nuclear submarine technology with North Korea, which could significantly accelerate the latter’s military capabilities, raising concerns in the international community.
Critical Ammunition Shortages in Russia Russia’s military has suffered significant losses in artillery. According to Forbes, it has lost approximately 800 self-propelled artillery systems. This has forced Moscow to seek alternative sources of weaponry, with North Korea playing a crucial role in these efforts.
There are also unconfirmed reports that North Korea has supplied Russia with medium-range ballistic missiles, such as the Pukguksong-2. These missiles, with a range of up to 2,000 km, could be used in challenging combat conditions. Convoys carrying weapons from North Korea have already been spotted in the Tyumen region, signaling the growing military cooperation.
Weaknesses in North Korea’s Support Despite North Korea’s readiness to assist Russia, the effectiveness of its military units remains questionable due to a lack of real combat experience. According to The New York Times, Pyongyang has not yet received the desired technology or diplomatic support from Moscow but hopes to benefit from these in the future.
North Korea’s weaponry, although significant in quantity, does not always meet modern military standards. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to demonstrate success with high-tech equipment and innovative strategies in the war.