In a detailed investigation, reports indicate that North Korea has supplied millions of rounds of ammunition to the Russian military over the past two and a half years. The findings, published by the outlet ‘Important Stories’ in collaboration with analysts from the British Open Source Centre, are based on documents tracking the movement of vessels involved in transporting arms from North Korea to Russia.
Since the summer of 2023, four Russian ships have reportedly made at least 112 trips to North Korea, delivering between 8 to 11 million rounds of ammunition. This translates to an average supply of approximately 350,000 rounds per month, a quantity sufficient to support around one month of offensive operations for the Russian armed forces.
However, the volume of ammunition supplied from North Korea has decreased recently. Journalistic sources indicate that only one such shipment has been identified since the beginning of 2026. This reduction may be attributed to Russia increasing its own production of munitions or a depletion of North Korea’s available stock.
In 2024, North Korea reportedly dispatched military personnel to assist Russian forces following the onset of operations by Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region of Russia. Estimates, including those from South Korean intelligence, suggest that around 15,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia, with approximately 1,000 deployed for demining efforts in Kursk after Ukrainian forces withdrew from the area. Reports indicate that North Korean casualties during this period may number in the thousands, including both killed and wounded.
Recent reports reveal that North Korea has supplied millions of ammunition rounds to Russia, particularly since mid-2023. The flow of supplies has decreased in 2026, possibly due to increased Russian production or depleted North Korean stocks.