The DPRK is arranged by Russia: the scale of deliveries is calculated by millions of ammunition - intelligence

To spread: Ukraine's external intelligence service has announced large -scale supply of weapons from the DPRK to Russia. It is about six million artillery shells, as well as about 120 self -propelled artillery installations M1989 "Coxan" and 120 reactive volley fire systems M1991. Oleg Ivashchenko, the head of the department, told about it on May 26 in an interview with Ukrinform.

According to him, Russian MPC enterprises are trying to reach the maximum level of production, but it is difficult for them, since investments, components and means of production are needed for large volumes. "If you take ammunition, they produce about 3 million shells for 122, 152th caliber for a year. 240 mm are 120 units of the same type and 120 units of another type, "Ivashchenko said.

Commenting on the information, Western observers noted that the North Korean ammunition already account for up to half of artillery consumables of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which significantly affects the dynamics of hostilities in the conditions of reduction and delay of military assistance to Ukraine. Supported ammunition are 122 mm and 152 mm artillery shells that are widely used in Soviet systems that are still in service with the Russian army.

122 mm caliber shells are used in tools such as howitzer D-30, which has a maximum shooting range up to 15 km. Heavy than 152 mm shells used in SUU 2C3 "Acacia" provide a range of up to 18. 5 km and have more devastating power. According to Ivashchenko, Russia produces about 3 million shells a year, but requires the same volume of imported ammunition to maintain the current level of intensity of artillery fire in Ukraine.

At the same time, the volume of deliveries from the DPRK in 6 million shells involves the involvement of unprecedented logistics - with the transportation of thousands of containers by sea or rail through routes such as the port of Rajin in North Korea and Russian ports Eastern or Danube. In exchange for ammunition, North Korea receives food, oil, and access to advanced military technologies, which can strengthen its rocket and nuclear programs, notes the head of external intelligence.

Experts emphasize that the opacity of such transactions and poor international control over the movement of goods by sea and rail complicate the monitoring of supply. This creates a challenge for intelligence agencies that need to adequately evaluate the scale and threat associated with the growing military-political alliance of the two states under sanctions.