North Korean arms supply crucial for Russia's war efforts
An investigation by Reuters and the Open Source Centre (OSC) reveals that North Korea has already supplied Russia with approximately 5.8 million rounds of ammunition. For artillery shells, Putin's troops fighting in Ukraine are now almost completely dependent on supplies from Pyongyang.
OSC is a British independent research organization that primarily deals with security issues. The investigation was conducted on a large scale. Over 20 months (between September 2023 and March 2025), they tracked 64 shipments containing nearly 16,000 containers sent from North Korea to Russia.
The enormous scale of aid to Russia
Reuters, in its published report, outlines the precise 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 arms to ports in the Russian Far East. The cargo was then transported by rail to several ammunition depots located near Ukraine.
Russia dependent on supplies from North Korea
Support from North Korea for Russia mainly includes mortar shells and artillery shells—calibers 4.8 inches and 6 inches (122 mm and 152 mm). This weaponry is key for Putin's army. Artillery is called the "god of war," and during the war in Ukraine, it plays a crucial role along with drones. Artillery shells of calibers 4.8 inches and 6 inches are essential for operating most of the popular Russian systems, including 2S3 Akatsiya, 2S5 Giatsint, and 2S19 Msta.
Reuters also managed to analyze nine Russian military documents containing information about the use and stockpiles of ammunition within artillery units. These documents make it clear that Russian troops fighting in Ukraine are now almost completely dependent on supplies from Pyongyang. In some cases, North Korean artillery shells account for 70 percent or more of the total stockpiles used, with some days reaching even 100 percent.
Konrad Muzyka from the analytical firm Rochan Consulting believes that since late 2023, Russia has been able to maintain the intensity of its attacks thanks to assistance 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 stated, as quoted by Reuters.
In addition to mortar and artillery shells, North Korea also sent Russia, albeit in smaller quantities, ballistic missiles (KN-23), multiple rocket launcher systems, and about 120 Koksan M-1989 and Koksan M-1978 artillery pieces. Initially, these were used exclusively in the Kursk region in Russia, but recently the Russians have also employed them in occupied territories in Ukraine.
