NewsNorth Korea resumes arms shipments to Russia, escalating military support

North Korea resumes arms shipments to Russia, escalating military support

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12:27 PM EDT, March 12, 2024

This observation follows a brief hiatus, with the last reported activities involving Russian units docking in Rason on February 12. Following a significant meeting between the leaders of North Korea and Russia, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin, in September, South Korea's Ministry of Defense estimated that North Korea had shipped approximately 7,400 containers of ammunition to Russia to support its military operations in Ukraine. This contribution equates to roughly 3 million 152mm artillery shells or 559,000 122mm caliber shells.

In addition, ISW highlighted North Korea's development of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RSM), earmarked for export to Russia. Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Military (GUR), Major General Vadym Skibitsky, noted North Korea had supplied Russia with one million artillery ammunition between September and November 2023. Moreover, U.S. officials have indicated that Russian forces have used at least nine North Korean missiles in their operations against Ukraine since February 2024.

Kremlin's military reform: Spending is not a concern

Lithuanian intelligence sources indicate that Russia possesses the financial, human, material, and technical means to sustain its military engagement in Ukraine for at least another two years. The Kremlin has initiated a significant overhaul of its armed forces to bolster its military capabilities in the Baltic Sea region. This initiative involves structural adjustments and modifications to the command system, some of which are being implemented in the Kaliningrad region and western Russia, as noted by Lithuanian intelligence.

Financially, Russia's expenditure on the conflict in Ukraine has exceeded initial projections. In the first half of 2023 alone, spending surpassed the budget set for the entire year. By the start of 2024, at least one-third of the military budget allocated for the year had already been spent, amounting to over 10 trillion rubles or approximately 102 billion euros.