North Korea has significantly increased the production of artillery ammunition that it’s supplying to Russia.

The Wall Street Journal reported on this with reference to Airbus satellite images.

Today, North Korea’s production capacity includes about 200 ammunition factories, which are used for manufacturing weapons both for its own army and to support the Russian army.

North Korea has not only expanded its production capacity but has also significantly increased ammunition supplies to Russia. This development provides Russia with a notable advantage in the ongoing war of attrition.

According to U.S. officials and intelligence analysts, Russia has received more than 1 million 122-mm and 152-mm artillery shells from North Korea. Satellite images also show the expansion of the short-range ballistic missile production complex.

North Korea’s Hwasong-11 missiles, known in the West as KN-23 and KN-24, are manufactured at a plant on the east coast of the country. In addition, about 20,000 containers with weapons, ammunition, and open platforms with artillery systems and ballistic missiles were sent to Russia.

Russia’s payment for this assistance includes the transfer of fuel and equipment to support weapons production. In addition, Russia is preparing equipment and weapons to be transferred to Pyongyang to improve North Korean missile systems, air defense, and aviation.

Militarnyi previously reported that Russia had signed an agreement to transfer Soviet-era fighter jets in exchange for North Korean support in the war against Ukraine.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, leader of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, noted that the transfer of aircraft is a priority, as the North Korean fleet is very outdated and needs to be updated.

Another train of North Korean M1989 Koksan 170mm long-range howitzers was spotted being transported by rail in Russia.

For the first time, the movement of Koksan howitzers on Russian territory was recorded in November 2024.