DPRK may have supplied Russia with MLRS: what is known

North Korean weapons produced in the 1970s could have been supplied to Russia for the war against Ukraine. Among other things, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of missiles for multiple launch rocket systems.

This was reported by Yonhap News Agency with reference to the South Korean intelligence agency. It is investigating suspicions that Pyongyang continues to deepen military cooperation with Moscow.

It is noted that this was a reaction to recent media reports. In their investigations, journalists talked about 122-mm artillery shells manufactured in the DPRK in the 1970s, which are now being used by Russians on the Ukrainian front.

"We are analyzing the relevant circumstances in detail and continue to monitor joint military cooperation between North Korea and Russia," South Korean intelligence officials said in response.

Photos published by Ukrainian media in 2023 showed that Korean inscriptions, including "방-122," were found on shells used by the occupiers. Experts said that these were most likely 122 mm MLRS shells.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik also estimated that North Korea has sent about 6,700 containers to Russia since the summit between their leaders in September 2023. According to him, this is enough to hold about 3 million rounds of 152-mm or 500,000 rounds of 122-mm artillery shells.

The South Korean intelligence agency added that it is closely monitoring the possibility of illegal supply of missile parts to the DPRK amid fears that it may purchase them to develop new weapons.

At the same time, North Korea announced on May 11 that it would provide its armed forces with a new 240-mm MLRS starting this year. These reports came the day after North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un watched test firing of guided missiles for a "technically updated version" of the system.

Earlier, the head of the US mission to the OSCE, Tracy Newell, said that since the end of last year, North Korea has sent ammunition, launchers and several dozen ballistic missiles to Russia. According to her, since the end of last year, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with almost 11 thousand containers of ammunition.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to the Center for Strategic Communications, Russia is testing missiles received from the DPRK in Ukraine, just like Iranian Shahids before they were used against Israel. The UN has already confirmed the fact of Russian shelling of Kharkiv with South Korean missiles.

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