Russian artillery are relying almost entirely on ammo provided by North Korea to sustain their barrages along the Ukrainian front, Reuters reported Tuesday, mentioning Russian military documents and open-source research.Between September 2023 and March 2025, four Russian-flagged vessels made 64 journeys carrying almost 16,000 containers from North Korea to Russian ports, according to satellite information analyzed by the U.K.-based Open Source Center (OSC).
The organization approximates the deliveries included in between 4 million and 6 million artillery shells.By contrast, Russia is thought to have produced no more than 2.3 million artillery shells domestically in 2024, according to Ukrainian and Western officials.The Kremlin denied weapons transfers from North Korea in October 2023, declaring there was no evidence of such activity.However, at least six Russian artillery reports examined by Reuters recorded utilizing in between 50% and 100% North Korean munitions in Ukraine as recently as this year.
Three other unit reports made no reference to North Korean ammunition.Defense analyst Konrad Muzyka of Poland-based Rochan Consulting said North Koreas supplies allowed Russia to maintain the rate of its military operations starting in late 2023.
Without help from the DPRK, the Russian army shelling of Ukrainian protective positions would have been cut in half, Ukraines military intelligence firm GUR told Reuters.Without Chairman Kim Jong Uns support, President Vladimir Putin wouldnt actually have the ability to prosecute his war in Ukraine, included Hugh Griffiths, the previous organizer of the UN panel tracking North Korea sanctions.