The Kremlin’s recent efforts to strengthen its ties with global pariah North Korea appeared to be paying off on Friday, as The Times reported that approximately half of the 3 million artillery shells used annually by Russia in its war against Ukraine are being supplied to it by Pyongyang.
While Moscow and Pyongyang have been allies since the Soviet era, improving relations with the isolated family-run dictatorship has only been a priority for Russia since its own international isolation began following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Visiting North Korea for the first time in 24 years this summer, Vladimir Putin met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, since when the Russian military has relied on the country to keep its stockpiles of artillery shells replenished.
The South Korean Defence Ministry estimated that North Korea sent at least 10,000 sea containers to Russia, which could contain up to 4.8 million artillery shells. According to The Times, most of the North Korean shells are faulty, but their sheer quantity has helped the Russian military make some valuable gains on the front lines.
The degree to which Russian-North Korean military ties have improved was further demonstrated by a report in independent Ukrainian publication the Kyiv Post on Friday, which revealed that of the over 20 military personnel killed in a Ukrainian strike on a military facility in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk on Thursday were six North Korean officers. Another three North Korean soldiers were reportedly injured in the attack.
The officers, who, according to the Kyiv Post’s source, had travelled to meet with their Russian counterparts for a training session, are believed to have been part of a North Korean delegation sent to the Donetsk region last year to assist with construction work.