Russian-North Korean trade revealed. Moscow supports Pyongyang with modern weapons
North Korea supports Russia in its devastating war against Ukraine. Now it is clear what Pyongyang receives as compensation for this assistance. According to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), Russia provides North Korea with electronic warfare equipment and anti-aircraft weapons, including the modern Pantsir-S1 systems.
MSMT is an international team monitoring sanctions against North Korea, established in October 2024. According to them, Pyongyang has already supported Moscow in its war against Ukraine by supplying the Russians with approximately 9 million rounds of ammunition, primarily artillery shells of 4.8-inch and 6-inch caliber, which are crucial for Putin's army. Additionally, it has also provided multiple rocket launcher systems with a 9.4-inch caliber and long-range self-propelled artillery with a 6.7-inch caliber. However, this support was not free of charge.
Russia armors North Korea
As MSMT reveals, in exchange for those supplies, Russia transfers to North Korea other weaponry which Pyongyang significantly lacks. Since November 2024, advanced electronic warfare equipment and anti-aircraft systems, including an unspecified number of Pantsir-S1 units, have been delivered to them.
According to the MSMT report, the introduction of the Pantsir-S1 marks a substantial upgrade to North Korea’s air defense capabilities, surpassing the performance of both their outdated Russian-made systems and their own untested domestic alternatives.
One of the best Russian anti-aircraft systems
The Pantsir-S1 is one of the more modern anti-aircraft systems produced by Russia. It was first used in the 1990s and is highly regarded, having been responsible for the protection of Moscow and Vladimir Putin's residence in Sochi, among other notable locations.
Its basic equipment includes 12 anti-aircraft missiles, 57E6 or 57E6-E, which enable it to intercept targets within a range of approximately 12 miles and at altitudes of up to 9 miles. 2A38 M automatic cannons complement these, with a caliber of 1.2 inches and a range of about 2.5 miles.
This is not the only form of compensation Pyongyang receives from Moscow. The regimes, however, maintain their cooperation in secrecy. Unofficial findings suggest that the Russians are assisting North Korea with the development of an AWACS aircraft, and they may soon revitalize the country’s outdated air force through the transfer of MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters.
