According to a recent international report, North Korea has significantly intensified its military cooperation with Russia, supplying large volumes of weapons and military equipment since September 2023
This development has sparked widespread discussion in diplomatic and military circles, as it involves not only arms deliveries but also deep integration between the two nations in the military sphere, with serious implications for regional security and international stability as a whole. Based on data from the first report of the Multilateral Monitoring Group on Sanctions (MSMT), established by 11 UN member states, Russia received up to nine million artillery and missile ammunition from North Korea during 2024 alone, capable of being effectively used in combat operations against Ukraine. Specifically, this refers to supplies of 122 mm and 152 mm caliber shells, often in staggering quantities. According to sources from the international monitoring camp, these artillery shells and missile ammunition were transported by rail from port complexes in Russia’s Far East to depots in the southwestern regions of the country, to facilitate further transfer to Russian military units engaged in combat in Ukraine. In parallel, vessels flying the Russian flag, documented in open sources, operated from March to December 2024, delivering weapons and related materials from North Korea to Russia, further underscoring the scale and organized nature of this cooperation. In addition to conventional ammunition, North Korea transferred modern ballistic missiles to Moscow, which have been launched over Ukrainian territory. International intelligence reports indicate that in 2024, North Korea supplied no fewer than a hundred ballistic missiles of various types, which are purposefully used to target civilian infrastructure in key Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and others. This marked an escalation of North Korea’s efforts to provide Russia with advanced missile technology, used both to attack civilians and to exert psychological pressure on Ukrainian society. Beyond missiles and ammunition, the list of transferred equipment includes self-propelled artillery systems of 170 mm Korean origin, 240 mm multiple rocket launchers, and over two hundred units of various military vehicles. These include self-propelled guns, multi-purpose rocket systems, and transport vehicles for servicing, rearming, and transporting weapons. It has also been confirmed that North Korea supplies Russia with anti-tank missile systems, notably Bulsae-4 missiles and RPG grenade launchers, which considerably enhance the combat potential of Russian forces engaged in hostilities in Ukraine. It is important to note that, based on analyses of North Korean weapons recovered from the battlefield, Ukrainian security and intelligence agencies have concluded that the accuracy and effectiveness of missile use have increased. Remnants of pilot missiles found in Kharkiv bore distinctive features indicative of North Korean origin. Details included unique design elements such as specific control nozzles, characteristic bolt placements around the fuse, and markings and inscriptions in the Korean alphabet. The analysis identified these components as part of a new series of missiles, specifically Hwasong-11A and Hwasong-11B, which have been used in recent attacks on Ukrainian cities, including in August 2024. Components recovered were dated 2024, confirming the rapid transfer of new weapons systems from North Korea to Russia. Studies indicate that in recent months, North Korea has not only increased its own weapons production but also attempts to circumvent UN sanctions by procuring foreign parts through intermediaries and third countries. Additionally, Russia has reportedly supplied North Korea with air defense systems. Since November 2024, it is believed that North Korea has acquired modern short-range missile systems and radio-electronic warfare systems. Within this cooperation, Russia has also transferred one or more "Pantsir" class combat vehicles—mobile air defense systems capable of targeting aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision-guided weapons, and drones—to North Korea. Overall, these facts point to a significant deepening of the military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, moving beyond mere weapons supplies. They pose new threats to Ukraine and the entire region, and highlight risks of escalation, as the geopolitical situation could further deteriorate due to increased military and technological support between these two states, both seeking to evade international sanctions and restrictions. Global observers urge to strengthen international accountability and intensify efforts to control arms proliferation, to prevent even more chaotic and dangerous scenarios in the future.