Kyrylo Budanov of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry disclosed that Russia is sourcing about 50% of its ammunition from North Korea amid the war against Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly supplied thousands of munitions since February 2022, with over 10,000 of its troops reportedly involved. This alliance is reshaping military dynamics and raising international concerns.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, reported that Russia sources approximately half of its ammunition from North Korea in the ongoing war against Ukraine. This collaboration has led to North Korea supplying significant amounts of munitions since the start of the conflict in February 2022. Newsweek has sought comments from both the North Korean embassy in China and the Ukrainian foreign ministry regarding these claims.
According to South Korean sources, North Korea has delivered thousands of containers worth of munitions to Russia during the war. Estimates suggest that over 10,000 North Korean troops have been integrated into Russian military forces, marking North Korea’s first foreign conflict involvement since 1953. Many of these troops were deployed in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian counteroffensive operations are ongoing, and casualties have reportedly included about 4,000 North Korean soldiers.
Budanov stated that North Korea is currently meeting up to half of Russia’s ammunition requirements and has begun sending large shipments of 170-mm self-propelled howitzers and 240-mm multiple rocket launchers to boost Russian artillery. He indicated that Russia has received a total of 120 such units and is also believed to be receiving 148 ballistic missiles from North Korea, which have been utilized in attacks against Ukraine.
Despite these developments, neither Russia nor North Korea has officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict. There is an understanding that North Korean-produced missiles, though initially less accurate, have improved after modifications by Russian technicians. Concurrently, Oleh Ivashchenko from Ukraine’s foreign intelligence indicated that Russia is expected to fabricate around 7 million mortar and artillery shells and 3,000 long-range missiles due to their vast production capabilities.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, NATO’s Military Committee chair, recently noted the significant threats posed by North Korea’s provisions of munitions, missiles, and personnel to Russia. He emphasized that this situation allows Russia to resupply amidst heavy losses and contravenes U.N. Security resolutions. Analyst Tianran Xu stated that Moscow’s relationship with North Korea signals a move away from arms control norms, hinting at reciprocal weapon exchanges due to both nations’ depleted stockpiles.
Looking ahead, the military alliance between Russia and North Korea is expected to deepen as the conflict persists. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led discussions in Riyadh with Russian officials to address the war, but concerns were raised about the absence of Ukrainian and EU representatives in these dialogues. Another set of talks is scheduled for Tuesday in Riyadh, adding to the complexity of the diplomatic situation in the region.
The ongoing collaboration between Russia and North Korea signals a troubling development in the military dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As North Korea supplies substantial military resources to Russia, both nations continue to strengthen their ties, potentially impacting future geopolitical stability. The involvement of North Korean troops marks a significant change in international military engagement since 1953, while diplomatic talks continue to unfold despite the exclusion of key stakeholders like Ukraine.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
