North Korea's Arms Shipments to Russia: Artillery and Military Personnel Support

From September 2023 to March 2025, North Korea supplied Russia with between 4 and 6 million artillery shells, according to a joint analysis by Reuters and the British Open Source Centre (OSC). The OSC tracked 64 shipments over 20 months, estimating around 16,000 containers filled with munitions intended for use in the conflict against Ukraine. According to a Ukrainian military expert, North Korean artillery contributions have fulfilled 70% of Russia's needs. Russian artillery units have become significantly reliant on North Korean supplies. Since October 2024, North Korea has deployed approximately 10,000 military personnel to the Kursk region of Russia, bordering Ukraine. Reports from The New York Times and Sky News indicate North Korean forces have been observed near the front lines. South Korea estimates that of the initial 11,000 North Korean troops sent to Russia, 4,000 have either died or been wounded.