By John Q. Hosedrinker North Korea is currently supplying Russia with a significant portion of its ammunition needs, estimated at 35-50% monthly, which equates to 200,000–260,000 shells of 152 mm and 122 mm caliber. Additionally, Pyongyang has provided launchers and short-range ballistic missiles to be used in the ongoing conflict. Russia and North Korea are utilizing the war in Ukraine as a testing ground for weapons systems, including upgraded anti-tank missiles and heavy MLRS. Furthermore, a substantial number of North Korean troops, including specialized personnel, have been deployed to Russia, and North Korean labor migrants are being utilized to offset workforce shortages.
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North Korea supplies up to half of Russia’s ammunition needs — Ukrainian intel, and the implications are pretty stark. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The “mighty” Russian bear, once considered a global military superpower, is now relying on a nation known for its isolation and dire economic straits for a significant chunk of its ammo. That’s not exactly the picture of strength, is it? It feels like a “Second Army of the World” moment, to put it mildly.
Imagine the logistics involved, too. It’s quite a logistical undertaking to keep this supply line flowing. One can only imagine the potential vulnerabilities along the way. It certainly begs the question, what happens if one of those highly volatile shipments encounters an, shall we say, unfortunate accident on the rail? A tragedy indeed.
The fact that North Korea and Iran are helping to sustain the war efforts changes the landscape. It directly impacts the lives of Ukrainians. Without these critical lifelines, Putin’s ability to continue the mass murder in Ukraine would be significantly diminished. Think about that. It raises the question: is North Korea simply acting as a proxy for China?
Here’s a thought: It must be incredibly humbling for Putin to be so reliant on China. A country that already steals their tech and scientists and is actively eyeing historical Russian lands. It’s a deal with the devil, in a way.
Looking at North Korea at night is telling, they don’t appear to be making much after dark, which brings up the shadow economy. They can find funding through other means, and it seems they have a surprisingly robust one. This brings us to the fact that they are not as impoverished as we imagine.
The US parking a carrier or two near North Korea might change their calculus, but it may not stop them.
North Korea also possesses a surprisingly competent cybercriminal element. They’ve allegedly leveraged stolen crypto, with the Lazarus Group being a prime example, to finance their nuclear program. This has allowed them to afford things that many wouldn’t expect. They have more money than the world realizes.
It’s worth considering that North Korea likely has substantial ammunition stockpiles across multiple categories. Their older rounds may not be the best, but Russia doesn’t necessarily need perfection. Russia’s needs are likely being met, and this frees up resources for Russia.
Let’s not forget that North Korea also provides troops to Ukraine. The exchange of technology and manufacturing knowledge is likely a significant factor in this alliance. Russia can share technology that North Korea is decades behind on, potentially accelerating their military development. Rocket Man does what he wants.
This doesn’t mean China is directly pulling the strings. The situation is complex. While China could easily shut down North Korea’s support for Russia, they also view North Korea as a valuable ally, given the geopolitical situation on the Korean Peninsula.
On the production side, ammunition is something North Korea is likely very good at producing. It’s not exceptionally complex technology, and given North Korea’s warlike tendencies, it’s a core necessity for them.
Compared to the Cold War-era rounds Russia was using before, this may actually be an upgrade. They are also quite adept at manufacturing crystal meth, which highlights their diversification capabilities. As long as they can reliably make primers, producing ammunition is relatively straightforward, and they are very skilled at it.