North Korean arms bolster Russian offensive in Ukraine war
The investigation by Reuters and the Open Source Centre (OSC) shows that North Korea has already delivered approximately 5.8 million rounds of ammunition to Russia. When it comes to artillery shells, Putin's forces fighting in Ukraine are almost entirely dependent on supplies from Pyongyang.
OSC is a British, independent research organisation focused mainly on security issues. The extensive investigation was conducted over 20 months (from September 2023 to March 2025), tracing as many as 64 shipments containing nearly 16,000 containers sent from North Korea to Russia.
The enormous scale of aid for Russia
Reuters, in its published report, outlines the exact route of the arms transfer. Four container ships flying the Russian flag (Angara, Maria, Maia-1, and Lady R) were responsible for transporting North Korean weapons from North Korea to ports in the Russian Far East. The loads were then transported by rail to several ammunition depots located near Ukraine.
Russia dependent on supplies from North Korea
Support from North Korea for Russia primarily includes mortar shells and artillery shells - 122mm and 152mm calibres. This is crucial equipment for Putin's army. Artillery is known as the "god of war," and during the war in Ukraine, it plays a key role (along with drones). Artillery shells of 122mm and 152mm calibres are essential for operating most of the widely used Russian systems of this type, including the 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S5 Giatsint, and 2S19 Msta.
Reuters was also able to analyse nine Russian military documents containing data on the use and stockpiles of ammunition within the artillery units. From these documents, it is clear that the Russian units fighting in Ukraine are almost entirely dependent on supplies from Pyongyang. In some units, North Korean artillery shells make up 70 percent or more (on some days even 100 percent) of the total ammunition in use.
Konrad Muzyka from the analytical firm Rochan Consulting believes that since the end of 2023, Russia has managed to maintain the intensity of attacks due to aid from North Korea.
"It allowed the Russians to maintain an offensive posture and constant pressure on Ukrainian forces throughout most of 2024 into 2025," he said, as quoted by Reuters.
In addition to mortar and artillery shells, North Korea also sent Russia (albeit in much smaller quantities) KN-23 ballistic missiles, as well as multiple rocket launch systems and about 120 Koksan M-1989 and Koksan M-1978 guns. Initially, these were used exclusively in the Kursk region in Russia, but in recent weeks, the Russians have also been using them in the occupied territories belonging to Ukraine.
