-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
Russia’s reliance on North Korean military supplies has intensified, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. Reports indicate that over 50%, and in some areas more than 70%, of the ammunition and artillery shells used by Russian forces are sourced from North Korea.
According to CCD head Andrii Kovalenko, the delivery of North Korean 170mm self-propelled artillery units (M1978 Koksan) to Russia underscores Moscow’s growing dependence on Pyongyang. These systems have reportedly been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region to compensate for significant losses of heavy artillery on the battlefield.
“Russia’s reliance on North Korea is becoming increasingly evident, particularly given the shortages of its own heavy artillery,” Kovalenko stated. He emphasized that such shipments reflect a broader trend of dependency, with North Korea playing a critical role in replenishing Russia’s diminishing supplies of ammunition and artillery.
Earlier, North Korean 122mm multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), disguised as civilian trucks, were spotted in Russia’s Kursk region. These systems, first showcased during a 2023 military parade in Pyongyang, feature hidden rocket tubes concealed under pop-up and slide-door roofs, allowing them to blend into non-military environments and evade detection.
