South Korean Intelligence: Russia deployed North Korean MLRS in its war on Ukraine

Yonhap reported the information.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the statement in response to a recent local media report that 122mm artillery shells manufactured in North Korea in the 1970s were among the weapons used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.

The NIS is analyzing the relevant circumstance in detail and also continues to track overall military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, the intelligence service said.

The South Korean intelligence service analyzed photos published by a Ukrainian photographer last year and found Korean letters, including the word  "방-122," that were applied to missile shells. 

Experts said that these are most likely 122-millimeter MLRS shells.

According to South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, the DPRK sent about 6,700 containers to Russia after the summit of the two leaders in September, enough to accommodate about 3 million 152-mm artillery shells or 500,000 122-mm artillery shells.

• On May 8, it was reported that North Korea had tested a new liquid rocket engine at the end of April, which could presumably be installed on ballistic missiles.