North Korea sends nearly 16,000 containers of ammunition to Russia over 20 months

Reuters and the OSC conducted a joint study.

The Open Source Centre (OSC), an independent research organization, tracked 64 shipments over a 20-month period, which contained nearly 16,000 containers with millions of artillery shells that Russia used in its war against Ukraine, including a recent shipment on March 17.

OSC tracked 64 voyages to the North Korean port of Rajin between September 2024 and March this year, carried out by four Russian-flagged container ships - Angara, Maria, Maya-1, and Lady R. They transported containers from the North Korean port to the Russian ports of Vostochny and Dunay, before sending the artillery and mortar shells to depots near Ukraine.

The publication notes that Russia heavily relies on North Korean shells on the battlefield, as the vast majority of munitions fired by Russian forces have come from the DPRK.

The investigation also revealed that North Korea has sent Russia ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple rocket launch systems. These deliveries represent the largest direct military assistance to Russia. It is also noted that the Russians have taken advantage of Iranian long-range drone technologies and strong economic support from China.

“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, who from 2014 to 2019 was coordinator of the U.N. panel of experts that monitored sanctions on North Korea.

• At the end of February, the head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said that North Korea meets 50% of Russia's ammunition needs.
• On March 26, it became known that Russian troops were transporting military equipment from the DPRK to the front line through the temporarily occupied Crimea.