North Korea, despite international sanctions and isolation, has become an important supplier of weapons for Russia in the war against Ukraine. According to Western analysts, the DPRK provides Moscow artillery shells, ballistic missiles and other types of military equipment. Such cooperation significantly strengthens the Russian army in the face of prolonged conflict.
The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal reported that Pyongyang significantly increased the production of military products by receiving oil from Russia instead. The latest satellite photos confirm the scale of deliveries, including more than 5 million artillery shells and dozens of rockets, including modern Hwasong-11. Initially, the DPRK supplied Russia's outdated artillery shells, but now we are talking about modern ammunition. For example, 240 mm volley reactive fire systems are equipped with new guidance systems, and large KN-25 missile installations were upgraded with the participation of Russian engineers in early 2024.
Sources in Seoul say that about 200 North Korean plants operate at full capacity to secure the Armed Forces of Russia. In its turn, Russia supplies Pyongyang and technological equipment needed to maintain continuous production. Western experts are convinced that this cooperation will significantly complicate the efforts of the United States and their allies in confronting Russian aggression. Viewers also note that such support gives Moscow the opportunity to conduct active fighting for a long time, despite sanctions and depletion of their own resources.
Ukrainian intelligence confirms that Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles, which have a considerable range, are used for attacks on Ukrainian cities. Although these missiles may be inaccurate, their scale and volume pose a serious threat to infrastructure and civilian population. Western officials are concerned that North Korea can invite technological and financial assistance in Russia for their own military purposes, especially in the case of escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula. The joint activity of the two countries violates international sanctions and increases the risks to global security.
This year there is a significant increase in transportation through the border crossing of the Tumangan-Hasan. According to Demyan Splitters, director of Conflict ArmAnt Research, delivery logistics is well organized: thousands of tons of ammunition are transported by rail, which reduces the risk of detecting international structures.
Delivery of weapons from the DPRK to the Russian Federation become a decisive factor in a protracted conflict. While Ukraine and Western allies are trying to increase military and economic pressure on Moscow, Pyongyang support provides Russia with the opportunity to continue hostilities. Such cooperation creates new challenges to the international community in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
