The DPRK appeared to have begun providing military support to Russia by railway in November 2022. The DPRK Panel of Experts (the Panel) of the Security Council mentioned Pyongyang’s initial assistance to Moscow in the Ukraine war in its report, using satellite imagery analysis (see the Panel’s report, para. 123, annex 68).

Since then, the DPRK has accelerated its involvement in the war, supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), which was established to succeed the disbanded Panel following its sudden dissolution in April 2024, showed that the DPRK has transferred over 20,000 containers of munitions to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since September 2023. Approximately 9 million rounds of ammunition were reportedly transferred from the DPRK to Russia in 40 shipments between January and December 2024.

The DPRK Monitor has observed evidence of debris from North Korea’s weapons systems on the ground.

The DPRK’s military support to Russia includes the following:

  • Munitions (82mm, 122mm, 130mm, 152mm, 170mm);

    • D-20 towed howitzer

    • D-30 towed howitzer

    • M-30 howitzer

    • M-46 howitzer

    • D-74 cannon

  • At least 100 Ballistic missiles

    • Including Hwasong-11 series (KN-23, 24)

  • Three brigade sets of Heavy artillery

    • 170mm self-propelled artillery pieces

    • 240mm long-range multiple rocket launchers

    • 200 total vehicles, self-propelled guns, multiple-rocket launcher, etc.

  • Anti-tank missiles

    • Bulsae-4 (불새-4)

    • RPG

  • Troops (over 11,000 in late 2024)

What does the DPRK receive from Russia in return?

  •  The MSMT report listed the following:

    • Air defense system & Anti-aircraft missiles (Pantsir class combat vehicle)

    • Advanced electronic warfare systems (jamming equipment using Russian cargo aircraft)

    • Data feedback on ballistic missiles which lead to improvements in missile guidance performance

    • Refined oil

 The DPRK Monitor continues to keep an eye on the situation and will provide updates.

KN-23 (Source: CSIS)

KN-23 (Source: CSIS)

Bulsae-4 (Source: Militarnyi)

Bulsae-4 (Source: Militarnyi)

122mm rocket launcher and anti tank missile (9M113) (Source: The MSMT)

122mm rocket launcher and anti tank missile (9M113) (Source: The MSMT)

170mm self-propelled gun (Source: The MSMT)

170mm self-propelled gun (Source: The MSMT)

Means of arms transfer from DPRK to Russia

2022-11-18 (Railcars)

Khasan (Russia)-Tumangang (DPRK)

Source: Yonhap News.

According to imagery released by National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby at a White House press briefing in Washington on 20 January 2023, five Russian railcars traveled from Russia to North Korea on 18 November 2022. The next day, 19 November, North Korea loaded the railcars with shipping containers, and the train returned to Russia.

From 2023-9-7 to 10-1 (Vessels)

Najin (Rajin) (DPRK)-Dunay (Konyushkov Bay) (Russia)

Source: The Panel’s report, S/2024/215, page. 34.

According to imagery relased by the US Mission to the UN on 13 October 2023, the DPRK has provided Russia with more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions between 7 September and 1 October 2023 (Since the Panel report includes a clearer map from a certain Member State, DPRK Monitor will cite it from there).

From January to December 2024 (Vessels)

Najin (Rajin)-Vostochnyy (Russia)

Source: The MSMT.

According to the MSMT report, Russian cargo vessels delivered approximately 9 million rounds of mixed artillery and multiple rocket launcher ammunition from Najin (Rajin) port in the DPRK to Vostochnyy, Russia, in 49 shipments between January 1 and mid-December 2024.

The munitions were then transported by rail to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia.

From 2024-10-8 to 10-13 (Vessels)

Hamhung, Chongjin (DPRK)-Vladivostok (Russia)

Source: NIS (Annotated by the DPRK Monitor).

According to the ROK’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korea transported special forces units to Russian territory via Russian Navy transport ships from October 8 to 13. This confirmed the beginning of North Korean military participation.

Four landing ships and three escort ships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet completed the first phase of transporting approximately 1,500 North Korean special forces personnel from areas near Chongjin, Hamhung, and Musudan in North Korea (Attachment 1) to Vladivostok, Russia, during the same period.

From November-December 2023 (Cargo planes)

Source: The DPRK Monitor.

The MSMT report indicates that sensitive and critical equipment, including missiles and transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), were primarily moved via rail or Russian military cargo planes.

The report identified the involvement of Russian Federation aircraft, specifically the Ilyushin Il-76, Il-76 MD, and Antonov AN-124, in transporting DPRK ballistic missiles and related cargo during November and December 2023.

Information indicated that missile exports by some of these aircraft continued in 2024.