North Korea's Vital Role in Supplying Russian Military Efforts in Ukraine

Since September 2023, North Korea has made substantial contributions to the Russian military's ammunition supply, delivering 64 shipments that amount to an estimated 4 to 6 million artillery shells. This considerable influx has helped meet approximately half of the Russian artillery demands in Ukraine, supplementing their own production, which is projected to be between 2 and 2.3 million shells for the year 2024.

The peak of deliveries occurred in January 2024, with a notable seven shipments arriving simultaneously. Ships involved in this operation have reportedly made an average of three journeys per month to transport these supplies. Furthermore, North Korea has provided Moscow with an array of military hardware including ballistic missiles, long-range artillery, and multiple launch rocket systems. Ukrainian intelligence sources claim that deliveries have included 148 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles, along with substantial quantities of long-range self-propelled artillery and MLRS systems.

Ukrainian officials, including the head of military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, have highlighted the critical role that North Korean munitions play in the ongoing conflict, noting that certain Russian units rely entirely on these supplies, utilizing up to 100% of North Korean shells. Reports from Russian artillery units reviewed by Reuters corroborate this, indicating a significant reliance on DPRK ammunition.

Analysis suggests that the availability of these Korean shells has given the Russian military a key advantage in an artillery-based warfare scenario, which has characterized the conflict since late 2022. Military analysts argue that without these supplies from North Korea, Russian artillery capabilities and the overall intensity of their operations would have been greatly diminished.

The impact of North Korean military aid was particularly pronounced in the fall of 2023, during a critical period when Ukrainian forces faced ammunition shortages, and U.S. military support was delayed. This situation enabled Russian forces to maintain offensive operations and apply continuous pressure on Ukraine throughout much of 2024 and into 2025. Nevertheless, this investigation into the ammunition supply chain also underscores Russia's significant dependence on North Korean support amidst a prolonged attrition conflict.