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North Korea Rakes in $20 Billion Supplying Arms Fueling Russia’s War and Civilian Deaths in Ukraine

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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North Korea Rakes in $20 Billion Supplying Arms Fueling Russia’s War and Civilian Deaths in Ukraine
North Korean soldiers stand on armored vehicles during a military parade in Pyongyang, September 9, 2018. (Source: Getty Images)

North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine has brought significant economic and military gains for Pyongyang, according to new analyses from South Korean and international sources.

According to Newsweek on April 16, citing a report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), North Korea has earned more than $20 billion through military cooperation with Russia. The report highlights extensive munitions shipments, troop deployments, and technical assistance as the primary sources of revenue.

The majority of the estimated gains—roughly $19.2 billion—come from the supply of munitions, including artillery shells, rockets, and ballistic missiles.

KIDA estimates that Pyongyang has shipped approximately 21,000 containers of weapons and ammunition to Russia since August 2023, mostly via maritime routes. Additional transfers may have occurred by land or air, the authors note.

North Korea has also reportedly received around $630 million through technology transfers and $280 million from deploying approximately 11,000 troops, many of whom have served in Russia’s Kursk region. KIDA suggests that Pyongyang retains a portion of the soldiers’ reported $2,000 monthly pay before disbursing the remainder.

In return for its support, North Korea is believed to favor barter arrangements over cash payments. These exchanges likely include advanced military technologies, such as components or knowledge related to nuclear-powered submarines and fourth-generation fighter aircraft.

KIDA notes that Russia may now be more willing to transfer such capabilities due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Recent displays of North Korean weaponry—including an AI-guided loitering munition, a new airborne early warning aircraft, and reconnaissance drones—could indicate ongoing technological support from Moscow, according to the report.

The findings align with a separate analysis by Reuters and the Open Source Centre (OSC), which used satellite and 3D imagery to confirm at least 15,800 containers of munitions delivered by four Russian ships between August 2023 and March 2025. These containers are estimated to hold between 4.2 million and 5.8 million individual munitions.

Both reports suggest that continued cooperation between Russia and North Korea presents broader security concerns. KIDA warns that the growing military ties could increase the likelihood of Russian involvement on the Korean Peninsula during a regional crisis.

Analysts also emphasize the need for coordinated international action to prevent further weapons transfers and block the exchange of high-tech systems that could enhance North Korea’s strategic capabilities.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia has become “almost wholly reliant” on North Korean ammunition, with up to 6 million shells delivered since September 2023—covering roughly half of Russia’s artillery needs.

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