Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Suggestions point to increased flow of munitions to Russia from North Korea — military expert Zgurets

9 October, 2023 Monday
12:09

Serhiy Zgurets, Defense Express CEO and military expert, believes that the supply of ammunition from the DPRK to Russia will not be significant, given the distance and possible pace 

client/title.list_title

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"According to satellite reconnaissance data, one of the sites where there were usually 20 railroad cars is now home to 70 railroad cars. There is an assumption that after the visit of the DPRK leader to Russia, the dynamics of ammunition exchange may have increased. This is the conclusion of the experts who analyze this image, but there is no ammunition or anything visible. We just know that this is one of the stations used to transfer cargo by rail," said the expert.

World, DPRK, Russia, weapons, war with RussiaPhoto: Beyond Parallel
 

Serhiy Zgurets added that according to statistics, North Korea has artillery systems of 152 mm caliber in the range of 8,000 units, not including MLRS, and about 20 million ammunition rounds according to Soviet standards for such systems are stored in the DPRK.

"Probably some of them can be transferred to Russia, but the distance and pace do not allow us to say that these transfers will be significant. In addition, there are questions about the quality of North Korean ammunition, because there were periods when the DPRK used this ammunition in one of the conflicts and a significant part of the ammunition simply did not explode. That is, this indicates their low quality. However, Russia lacks its own capabilities to restore ammunition, so it will continue to look for options either from Iran or North Korea, which was confirmed by the conclusions of US intelligence or US officials. They said that there are grounds to believe that the flow of munitions from North Korea has intensified, but no one knows to what extent," Zgurets summarized.

Cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

Earlier, White House spokesman John Kirby said that talks between Russia and the DPRK on military cooperation were "actively progressing."

In July, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the DPRK and met with his North Korean counterpart, among others.

In early August, the White House accused Russia of trying to buy munitions from the DPRK.

On August 31, the United States imposed sanctions on two Russian citizens over the development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles for the DPRK.

On the evening of Friday, September 8, at a parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the state, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un met with a Chinese delegation before his trip to Russia next week.

On September 11, the North Korean leader had travelled by train to Vladivostok to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin confirmed Kim Jong Un's visit to Russia "in the coming days".

On September 13, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had a meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

On September 22, North Korea's leader held a meeting with the government to discuss the results of his recent meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and called for active cooperation in all areas.

On October 7, the Beyond Parallel project reported that satellite images show the highest traffic on the Russia-DPRK border in recent years. This comes a day after rumors surfaced about the start of the transfer of North Korean artillery to Russia.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
23 June
21:20
Exclusive
Russia’s mass production of Oreshnik missiles may undermine its strategic nuclear capabilities — expert
21:02
Exclusive
Putin’s threat to enter Poland, advance on Germany is direct warning — expert
20:45
EU set to approve 18th sanctions package against Russia this week
20:27
Ukraine launches mass production of Sapsan short-range ballistic missile — President's Office
20:08
NATO summit declaration to feature important provisions on Ukraine — Rutte
19:50
Ukrainian forces strike Atlas oil depot in Russia’s Rostov region
19:41
Updated
Zelenskyy meets with UK PM Starmer, King Charles III to discuss defense cooperation, Russia sanctions
19:32
Exclusive
Putin seeks control of Iran nuclear program through third party — Bar-Ilan University professor
19:13
Ukraine’s EU membership is matter of war and peace in Europe, FM Sybiha says
18:54
Ukraine bribes Russian customs officials in Spider's Web operation — SBU chief
18:36
Russia may successfully attack NATO within 3–7 years unless capabilities are increased now — Rutte
18:19
Ukraine uses over 2 tons of explosives in attack on Crimean bridge supports — SBU chief
18:01
Russia steps up attacks near Pokrovsk amid 74 frontline clashes
17:43
Putin announces start of mass production for Oreshnik missile system
17:25
Exclusive
War in Ukraine brings UK back to major European politics — professor
17:08
Russia ramps up infantry assaults amid tactical changes in Ukraine — military
16:47
Russia returning bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers in increasingly deplorable condition
16:26
OPINION
Iran: not destroyed, but significantly damaged
16:04
New Zealand announces over $9.4 million in new aid package for Ukraine
15:45
Iran may cut IAEA ties, citing “political manipulation”
15:25
Iran’s foreign minister to ask Putin for military aid during Moscow visit – Reuters
15:05
EU summit poised to back Ukraine’s EU path, but Hungary expected to opt out
14:39
How Norwegian defense giant Kongsberg is deepening its role in Ukraine
14:16
Trump “disappointed” by Russian strikes, calls for restraint from “both sides”
13:56
Why is Kellogg visiting Belarus amid global turmoil?
13:40
Exclusive
Russia may eliminate budget deficit if Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, economist says
13:31
Updated
Russian combined attack on Kyiv kills civilians, destroys homes
13:21
Exclusive
Ukraine’s shift to new tactics has Russia fuming, military expert says
12:56
Putin directs school textbook revisions to align with war narrative — CCD
12:38
Norway to set up surface drone manufacturing in Ukraine
12:18
OPINION
Iran shuts down Strait of Hormuz
11:40
Russia-linked accounts spread false claims of Ukrainian arrests in Iran
11:14
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, June 10-20
Russian forces step up operations in Kharkiv-Sumy border area — Ukrainian officer
10:56
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, June 10-20
Russia aims to expand “gray zone” near Sumy, city not priority - journalist
10:41
Ukraine reports 142 combat clashes at front, repels 44 attacks in Pokrovsk sector
10:24
Ukrainian air defenses shoot down 354 Russian threats in massive night attack
09:56
Russia loses 1,010 soldiers, 58 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Sunday
22 June
21:33
Review
Biggest non-nuclear bomb ever used: Inside GBU-57 attack on Iran’s nuclear sites
21:02
OPINION
Trump authorizes strikes on Iran. Israel welcomes move, Iran not so much
20:32
Poland prepares to evacuate art in case of Russian invasion
More news