Yuri Kobzar18:29, 15.11.25

In 2023-24, it was the DPRK that saved Russia from a shortage of shells and, as a result, perhaps even from defeat in the war.

North Korea has significantly reduced its supply of artillery ammunition to Russia due to depletion of its stockpiles, Major General Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate, told Reuters in an interview.

According to him, Korea has supplied Russia with a total of 6.5 million artillery shells since 2023. However, due to depleted stockpiles, this year’s supply volumes were already approximately half those planned for 2024.

Skibitsky added that, for example, in September, no shipments of shells from North Korea to Russia were recorded at all, but in October, some were delivered again.

The GUR representative also clarified that about half of the shells supplied by Pyongyang were so old that the Russians had to send them to military factories for repairs and restoration to proper condition.

North Korea has mastered the production of FPV drones.

According to Skibitsky, amid dwindling artillery stockpiles, North Korea has launched mass production of military FPV drones and medium-range unmanned aerial vehicles.

“They are learning, they are studying their experience (in this war) in order to expand production on their own territory,” said a GUR representative.

(C)UNIAN 2025