Millions of shells from DPRK give Russia decisive advantage on the battlefield – Reuters
16 April 2025 01:15
The DPRK supplies Russia with large volumes of weapons, sometimes the percentage of North Korean ammunition for shelling Ukrainian positions reaches 100%. This is stated in an investigation by Reuters in cooperation with the Open Source Center (OSC), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“The investigation showed that the flow of weapons combined with North Korean manpower gave Russia an important advantage on the battlefield… North Korea did not simply offer the lives of its men to Russia. Far more important to Russia’s strategy are the weapons that are flowing to the eastern front of Ukraine. A Reuters investigation has revealed that for nearly 20 months, millions of North Korean shells have been massively shipped to the front lines by sea and then by train,” the investigation said.
According to analysts, from September 2023 to March 2025, four Russian cargo ships – Angara, Maria, Maya-1, and Lady R – made at least 64 voyages from the North Korean port of Rajin to the Russian ports of Vostochny and Danube.
In total, about 16,000 containers containing millions of artillery and mortar shells were transported.
The supply data is confirmed by satellite images, analysis of social media videos, and reports from Russian artillery intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, since mid-2023, North Korea has transferred at least 4 million artillery shells to Russia. More than 75% of them are 122 mm and 152 mm caliber shells, which form the basis of Russian artillery weapons. Deliveries of mortar ammunition were also recorded, but not included in the total.
Ukrainian intelligence has stated that without North Korea’s military assistance, the intensity of Russian shelling of Ukrainian positions would have been reduced by at least half. The DPRK provides 50% of all shells used by the Russian army. Internal technical reports of the Russian Ministry of Defense state that in some units of the occupation forces, 75% to 100% of artillery ammunition is produced in the DPRK.
In addition to shells, Pyongyang also handed over long-range artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and ballistic missiles to Moscow. This is the largest direct military support Moscow has received in addition to the supply of Iranian drones and economic aid from China.
All four vessels used to transport North Korean weapons are under international sanctions.
