DPRK may expand the volume and range of weapons it supplies to Russia - ISW

North Korea may increase the volume and range of weapons it supplies to the aggressor country Russia. On July 30, soldiers of one of the Ukrainian battalions noticed that Russian forces were using North Korean military equipment on the border between Ukraine and the Belgorod region.

In particular, the Russians used the Bulsae-4 long-range self-propelled anti-tank missile system provided by North Korea northwest of Shebekino in the Belgorod region. It was mounted on a North Korean-M2010 wheeled armored personnel carrier. This was reported by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Some Russian military bloggers have cautiously expanded on the Ukrainian report, but not without questioning its credibility. The ISW cannot independently confirm the use of this equipment by Russian forces in the Belgorod region, but if confirmed, it would be evidence of an increase in the types of weapons North Korea is supplying to Russia.

NK Pro, a North Korea-focused publication, reported on July 26 that satellite imagery showed an increase in North Korea's production of anti-tank missiles, likely due to Russia's growing interest in acquiring the munitions. NK Pro found that North Korea began construction of a large production hall at the  Sinuiju Measuring Instrument Factory in May 2024, and in June 2024, it began upgrading several production halls at the Taegwan Glass Factory, both of which produce anti-tank missiles.

The increase in the volume and range of North Korean weapons for Russia is likely part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.

Earlier, it was reported that Russian troops began using the Bulsae-4 long-range self-propelled anti-tank missile system from the DPRK in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance detected North Korean equipment in one of the directions when it was out in the open.

ISW has also previously noted that Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for lethal assistance to its army for use against Ukraine. As of today, Pyongyang has already handed over millions of shells to the occupiers, and Tehran has provided many Shahed drones.

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