North Korea is reportedly supplying approximately 40 percent of the ammunition that Russia utilizes in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This information comes from Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as HUR. In an interview with Bloomberg, Budanov mentioned that the ammunition is delivered to Moscow in exchange for funding and technological support.
Budanov emphasized that this collaboration helps North Korea alleviate its international isolation. This strategy is underpinned by a mutual defense pact that was signed between North Korea and Russia in 2024. He also revealed that around 60% of the losses incurred by Ukrainian military-intelligence units over the past three months were due to artillery built in North Korea and employed by Russian forces. He remarked on the effectiveness of these weapons, noting that North Korea possesses substantial stockpiles and operates production continuously.
### Air Defense and Loitering Munition Partnerships
North Korea has emerged as a crucial ally for Russia during its three-year conflict with Ukraine, benefitting from military support in return for sending troops and military equipment. In an update provided earlier in July, Budanov noted that North Korea has deployed Russian-made Pantsir-S1 air defense systems within its capital. He mentioned that Moscow is looking to begin military training to better familiarize North Korean troops with these advanced systems.
In June, Budanov indicated that Russia is engaged in a project aimed at assisting Kim Jong Un’s regime in the domestic production of Shahed kamikaze drones. These drones are Iranian-designed loitering munitions frequently used in Russia’s nighttime offensives against Ukraine. Budanov indicated that such developments could potentially escalate security tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly between North and South Korea.
