Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as HUR, says North Korea now provides an estimated 25% to 40% of Russia’s artillery ammunition for its war in Ukraine. According to the assessment, Pyongyang has supplied Russia with more than 600 artillery systems, as well as more than 100 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles; Russia has reportedly used at least 80 of those missiles.
HUR characterized the arms transfers as systematic and regular, describing North Korea as a key foreign supplier of Russian military equipment. It estimated that North Korean deliveries had reached about 15 million 152mm artillery shells by March 2026. The assessment also said six Russian artillery units had relied on North Korean supplies for between half and all of their ammunition as of July 2025.
The available assessment does not establish that the latest reported deliveries mark an increase in North Korean support. HUR estimates North Korea can manufacture 1 million to 2 million artillery shells annually and says the share available to Russia would depend on decisions in Pyongyang. It also assessed that arms sales had brought North Korea economic benefits despite international sanctions.
The reported transfers coincide with South Korea’s effort to deepen defense ties with NATO members and the United States. President Lee Jae Myung said at the July 7 NATO summit that Seoul and the alliance should develop a broader defense-industry partnership encompassing research, production and operational capabilities. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Seoul and NATO had begun negotiations on a baseline procurement agreement, while maintaining that the arrangement would not affect South Korea’s relations with China or Russia.
North Korea has condemned the expanding South Korea-NATO relationship and coordination among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo on denuclearization. An unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the United States, South Korea, Japan and NATO should denuclearize first, citing their military buildups, and warned NATO against bringing what it called European geopolitical instability into the Asia-Pacific.
