North Korea Sends Over 12 Million Artillery Shells to Russia

In a startling development that underscores the deepening alliance between North Korea and Russia, South Korean intelligence has revealed that Pyongyang has supplied over 12 million artillery shells to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This massive transfer is believed to be part of North Korea's broader military aid package to help Russia sustain its high-tempo combat operations.

According to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) under South Korea’s defense ministry, approximately 28,000 containers loaded with weapons and ammunition have been shipped from North Korea to Russia. If those containers carried 152mm artillery shells, which are standard in Russian heavy artillery, the number of shells supplied has exceeded 12 million, South Korean officials estimate.

The weapons transfers reportedly began around October last year, and intelligence suggests the support is not limited to just hardware. South Korea's military intelligence reports that North Korea has also sent around 13,000 troops, including support staff, to aid Russian efforts in the ongoing conflict. These personnel are believed to be deployed in non-combat roles such as logistics and maintenance.

Looking ahead, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) anticipates more North Korean deployments in the coming months. Reports indicate that 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers may be sent to Russia’s Kursk region in July or August to assist in reconstruction and infrastructure development near the warzone.

These moves mark a significant breach of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, which strictly prohibit North Korea from exporting arms or military personnel. U.S. and Western officials have repeatedly condemned such transfers, warning that they not only violate international law but also contribute to the prolongation of the war in Ukraine.

This growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has included high-level diplomatic exchanges and discussions about deeper economic ties. Experts say the artillery shells from North Korea have become crucial to Russia's artillery-heavy warfare strategy, especially as it faces growing challenges from Ukrainian counter-battery systems and drone attacks.

South Korea has pledged to closely monitor the situation, working alongside its allies to track the flow of weapons and personnel. The revelations come at a time of heightened tension in the region, as North Korea continues to assert its military presence while leveraging the Ukraine conflict to strengthen ties with one of its few powerful allies.

This development raises significant concerns about the global implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, especially with authoritarian regimes openly defying international sanctions and aligning militarily.