UA
  • News
  • Popular
  • Search
  • Apps
download white apps
Download

North Korea supplied Russia with 4 to 6 million shells – Reuters investigation

www.pravda.com.ua
Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:48:00 +0300
North Korea supplied Russia with 4 to 6 million shells – Reuters investigation

North Korea has supplied Russia with at least four million artillery shells over the past 20 months, which are actively being used in the war against Ukraine. A Reuters investigation has confirmed that the deliveries have been taking place on a large and systematic scale – via sea and rail routes – significantly boosting the Russian army's military capabilities.

Source: investigation by Reuters in cooperation with the British analytical centre Open Source Centre (OSC)

Details: OSC analysts tracked 64 trips to the North Korean port of Rajin made between September 2023 and March 2025 by four Russian-flagged container ships – Angara, Maria, Maia-1 and Lady R – to the Russian ports of Vostochny and Dunay. These trips delivered nearly 16,000 containers with North Korean shells and other ammunition, which were then transported by rail to depots near the Ukrainian border.

Quote: "It's not possible to verify the ammunition inside each shipping container, but OSC estimated what it called a conservative range of 4-6 million artillery rounds alone, based on Ukraine's assessment of their prevalence and probable packing patterns."

Illustration: Reuters

Details: In addition to artillery shells, North Korea also transferred multiple-launch rocket systems, self-propelled artillery units and ballistic missiles to Russia

North Korea has become one of the key sources of ammunition for the Russian army. The scale and systematic nature of these supplies highlight a new level of military and political partnership between the two sanctioned countries.

According to Reuters, the vast majority of shells used by certain Russian units over the past year were from North Korea.

In daily reports from Russian artillery units analysed by Reuters, up to 100% of the ammunition used on certain days was of North Korean origin. In other cases, this figure reached 75%.

Quote: "Last summer, a unit on the southeastern Zaporizhzhia front reported nearly 50% of the shells fired by its D-20 howitzers were North Korean 152 mm shells, while 100% of its 122 mm rockets were North Korean." 

Details: Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reported that North Korea had supplied Russia with over four million artillery shells since mid-2023, including 122mm and 152mm calibres, which are the backbone of the Russian artillery units' armament.

"North Korea's contribution has been strategically vital. Without Chairman Kim Jong Un's support, President Vladimir Putin wouldn't really be able to prosecute his war in Ukraine," said Hugh Griffiths, former coordinator of the UN panel of experts on North Korea sanctions. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president – ed.]

Quote: "Either way, North Korean deliveries would be a sizable addition to Russia's production, estimated by Ukrainian and Western officials at 2-2.3 million artillery shells in 2024. 

US Army General Christopher Cavoli, the top US general in Europe, told American lawmakers on 3 April that he anticipated Russia's yearly production to be 3 million artillery shells, without specifying when that could happen."

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !

Read in full

Latest news

Pentagon chief Hegseth to take part in new Rammstein — when exactly
Pentagon chief Hegseth to take part in new Rammstein — when exactly
Another meeting in the Ramstein format will take place on July The corresponding announcement appeared on the page of the United Kingdoms Joint Delegation to NATO. The statement notes th...
news.online.ua
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 23:07:00 +0300
Enemy continues to use small infantry group tactics, focusing mainly in Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions – Syrskyi
Enemy continues to use small infantry group tactics, focusing mainly in Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions – Syrskyi
Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi provided an update on the operational situation at the frontline.
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:58:00 +0300
Russians attacked Kupiansk district with drones: fire broke out in residential area. PHOTOS
Russians attacked Kupiansk district with drones: fire broke out in residential area. PHOTOS
On July , Russian occupiers attacked the village of Fedorivka in Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region, with drones. The enemy attack caused a fire in the residential sector.
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:44:00 +0300
First Australian tanks handed over to Ukrainian army
First Australian tanks handed over to Ukrainian army
Defence minister Richard Marles says Australia is steadfast in support of Kyiv as Abrams tanks go into actionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe first tranche of Austra...
www.theguardian.com
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:37:51 +0300
Kyiv under "Shahed" attack: explosions in capital, air defenses active
Kyiv under "Shahed" attack: explosions in capital, air defenses active
On the evening of July , Kyiv is under attack by Russian strike drones. Explosions are occurring in the capital.
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:26:00 +0300
Since beginning of year, enemy has been losing average of 1,200 servicemen daily – Syrskyi. VIDEO
Since beginning of year, enemy has been losing average of 1,200 servicemen daily – Syrskyi. VIDEO
Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi revealed the average daily losses of Russian occupiers in .
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:19:00 +0300
Orban made a scandalous statement regarding Russia's war against Ukraine
Orban made a scandalous statement regarding Russia's war against Ukraine
Balazs Orban made a scandalous statement regarding UkraineBalazs Orban, an advisor to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said that Europe should not defend itself by providing support to Ukrain...
news.online.ua
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:07:00 +0300
Next Ramstein meeting to be technical and coordination‑oriented – Shmyhal
Next Ramstein meeting to be technical and coordination‑oriented – Shmyhal
The next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format will be technical and coordination-oriented.
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 21:59:00 +0300
Former defense chief prioritized foreign policy over his agency — expert on Ukraine’s Cabinet changes
Former defense chief prioritized foreign policy over his agency — expert on Ukraine’s Cabinet changes
This view was expressed on Espreso TV by Serhiy Zgurets, CEO of Defense Express media and consulting company and military expert.Shmyhal is now the third defense minister since Russias full-scale...
global.espreso.tv
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 21:35:00 +0300
After ZN.UA’s support for Shabunin, anonymous OP Telegram channels began attacking media journalist Inna Vedernikova – AntAC
After ZN.UA’s support for Shabunin, anonymous OP Telegram channels began attacking media journalist Inna Vedernikova – AntAC
After the editorial office of ZN.UA issued a statement regarding government pressure on Vitalii Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center AntAC, anonymous Telegram channels linked to th...
censor.net
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 21:33:00 +0300
додати ще новини more news

Top news

Plans to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine are as ready as possible and set for implementation – Starmer
Plans to deploy peacekeepers to Ukraine are as ready as possible and set for implementation – Starmer
Ukrainian flag raised on Kinburn Spit, in Black Sea
Ukraine war briefing: US moving ‘with haste’ to enable weapons shipments to Kyiv, says Washington
Chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region halts operations after nighttime drone attack
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky and Trump consider drone ‘mega-deal’ as Putin’s troops advance on frontline
Trump addressed Zelensky with a secret proposal regarding the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
131 combat engagements on front since start of day – General Staff
Rescue of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia at risk of disruption
"Positive signal." The Kremlin reacted to Zelensky's statement
Russian shoots his accomplice at point-blank range in Zaporizhzhia region. VIDEO
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Rules of use
  • Apps