Multinational Team Reports North Korea Sent 100 Ballistic Missiles, 9 Million Shells to Russia

A Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team composed of 11 countries, including the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, reported extensive military cooperation between North Korea and Russia throughout 2024 that violates UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea supplied Russia with at least 100 ballistic missiles, approximately nine million artillery shells and rockets, and over 200 heavy artillery pieces, enabling intensified Russian attacks in Ukraine. In exchange, Russia provided North Korea with air defense systems, electronic warfare equipment, and missile guidance technology, further deepening their military ties. The report also confirmed the deployment of more than 11,000 North Korean troops to Russia for combat and training, alongside shipments of refined petroleum from Russia to North Korea that exceed UN sanctions limits. These exchanges were facilitated via Russian-flagged vessels and military transport aircraft, with at least 20,000 containers of weapons transferred. The monitoring team plans to work with the UN Security Council to identify additional violators and curb the transfer of materials contributing to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.