North Korea has significantly bolstered Russia’s military capabilities in its war against Ukraine by shipping approximately 16,000 containers filled with munitions over the past 20 months. These shipments, tracked by the Open Source Centre, have included millions of artillery rounds, rocket launch systems, and long-range missiles, arriving via maritime routes and transported by rail to the frontlines.
This extensive military support has made North Korean ammunition a critical component of Russia’s artillery supply in Ukraine, with reports indicating that it now accounts for roughly half of Russia’s artillery usage in the conflict.
In addition to munitions, North Korea has reportedly deployed thousands of troops to assist Russian forces, including reinforcements to compensate for heavy casualties sustained due to lack of modern equipment and drone warfare expertise.
The alliance between Russia and North Korea has deepened, with both nations denying arms transfers and not publicly acknowledging the deployment of North Korean troops. However, intelligence suggests that North Korea’s involvement is a strategic move to obtain missile and military technology from Russia.
This development has raised concerns among international observers, highlighting the growing military cooperation between two heavily sanctioned nations and its implications for global security dynamics.
