North Korea’s Arms Shipments to Russia Decline Due to Cold Weather

North Korea’s arms trade with Russia, which is monitored by satellites, has slowed down due to cold weather.

In January, only one Russian ship visited the port of Rason in North Korea to load cargo, according to an analysis by NK News.

The ship docked at a berth associated with North Korean arms exports on January 14. The day before, it unloaded empty containers at a nearby berth.

An analysis of the ship’s hull parameters indicates that it is likely one of two Russian ships under sanctions that are involved in arms transport — Angara or Lady R.

The visit was the first known since December 21. Containers began to accumulate again at the pier from December 27 to 31, in preparation for the arrival of the next ship in two weeks.

Russian ships previously made at least three visits to Rason each month from October to December.

“Perhaps the cold weather in January contributed to the slowdown in operations. A similar situation was observed in January 2025, when there was only one visit,” the article says.

Cargo is usually transported from Rason to the port of Vostochny in Russia. At the beginning of January, ice in the port was limited, but by January 24, it was almost frozen.

The ice could have posed a risk to smaller vessels, although satellite images show limited activity by larger ships.

Frosts and the heaviest snowfalls in 20 years affected other Russian ports, including Vladivostok and Nakhodka, but Rason remained ice-free.

Estimates of North Korean ammunition supplies to Russia since 2023 range from 6.5 to over 8 million artillery shells, meeting up to half of Moscow’s needs.

These deliveries include KN-23 missiles, long-range artillery, mortars, MLRS, and other ammunition. Russia is actively using KN-23 missiles, including new 2024 models, in attacks on cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv, which increases the effectiveness and accuracy of these weapons.