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 

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.

Read also:
  • News
2023, Wednesday
29 November
14:47
Exclusive
Poisoning of Ukraine spy chief's wife signals Russia's ability to reach anyone's family - military observer Kovalenko
14:24
Ukrainian troops destroy Russian APC, trench EW system, anti-drone gun and more: video
14:03
Interview
Unblocking border benefits both Ukraine and Poland: Mykola Knyazhytskyi on blockade’s impact on state relations and Ukrainian defense capabilities
13:41
Updated
Ukraine Intelligence Chief's wife was poisoned with arsenic and mercury - sources
13:26
Zaporizhzhia locals refuse collaboration as Russians lack administrative staff, says Regional Council member Ashurbekov
13:12
Ukraine's troops attack building with Russian militants in Kherson region: 5 invaders eliminated
12:55
Review
Weather isn't primary factor influencing pace of hostilities – military expert Serhiy Zgurets
12:43
Russia increases use of cluster bombs — British intelligence
12:19
Exclusive
Russian troops suffer up to 95% of losses in assaults - National Guard Major Nahornyi
12:00
"We are ready": Russia's Foreign Ministry says war with NATO is possible
11:41
25 Ukrainian truckers blocked at border agree to evacuate from Poland — Ministry of Infrastructure
11:10
Russia attacks Ukraine with drones: agricultural enterprise damaged in Khmelnytskyi region
10:48
Ukrainian troops eliminate 1140 invaders, 15 tanks and 32 artillery systems in 24 hours - General Staff
10:15
Russia claims Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow region
09:40
ISW: Ukraine continues attacks south of Bakhmut, Russia advances along Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line
2023, Tuesday
28 November
22:00
Review
Victorious news of 643rd day of war: Russian soldiers neutralized in Mariupol, explosions heard in occupied Tokmak
21:45
Ukrainian air defense shoots down Merlin-VR reconnaissance UAV - General Staff
21:27
Ukrainian hackers show how Russian military propaganda machine works
21:10
Border guards raise Ukrainian flag in Kharkiv region, bordering Russia
20:55
Two Russia's region declare creation of Donbas commonwealth with terrorist LPR, DPR
20:37
OPINION
Partners persuade Kyiv to negotiate with Russia, seeking ‘favorable position’
20:20
Exclusive
Map of fighting in Zaporizhizhia region near Robotyne
Russia sets traps for Ukrainian army in Melitopol sector - serviceman
20:00
Scythian Gold presented in Ukraine after return from Netherlands
19:40
Exclusive
Russian forces use their units as bait near Bakhmut - 26th Artillery Brigade spokesman
19:25
Slovak truckers threaten to block main checkpoint on border with Ukraine
19:03
Russia destroys to ground some settlements in Kherson region - local governor
18:45
Russian forces attack Sumy region, killing civilians, including child
18:27
Russia shells enterprise in Toretsk, injuring 4 women
18:07
Ukrainian court leaves Kolomoisky in pretrial detention until January 26, 2024
17:49
Russia covers Sevastopol Bay with electronic warfare: satellite images
17:30
Exclusive
It's not easy to organize: former National Defense and Security Council official on Budanov's wife poisoning
17:15
Russia faces currency problems trading oil in Asia - Reuters
17:00
Bulgaria agrees to open airspace for Russian Foreign Minister's plane
16:45
NATO Foreign Ministers meeting on Russia's war against Ukraine, situation in Middle East begins
16:31
Progress despite biggest losses: British intelligence assesses Russian offensive on Avdiivka
16:18
Ukraine's special forces destroy Russian self-propelled Akatsiya. Video
16:05
Czech President Pavel explains why this year is decisive for war in Ukraine and why next year will be more difficult
15:48
Iran agrees with Russia to purchase military aircraft, helicopters
15:35
Russian military launches less kamikaze drones, ground infantry attacks continue — Tavria group of forces commander
15:17
Ukraine's drone destroys position of Russian machine gunners. Video
More news