North Korea Supplies Half of Russia's Artillery Ammo in Ukraine

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has become a critical supplier of artillery ammunition to Russia, providing approximately half of the shells used by Russian forces in Ukraine. Since September 2023, North Korea has shipped an estimated 4 to 6 million artillery shells in 64 shipments, primarily via four Russian cargo vessels. This influx of munitions has allowed Russia to sustain its bombardments despite domestic production limitations, which are estimated at only 2.3 million shells for 2024. Ukrainian military intelligence has noted that North Korean forces have also been deployed to assist Russia, with evolving tactics that minimize their vulnerability on the battlefield. The collaboration underscores a significant increase in North Korea's military production capabilities and raises concerns about the ongoing conflict's dynamics. Both Russian and North Korean authorities have denied allegations of such military cooperation, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.