On October 5, 2023, a US official informed CBS News that North Korea had initiated the transfer of artillery equipment to Russia, seemingly to support Russia’s ongoing involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Simultaneously, the US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) issued a report detailing a substantial increase in rail activity between these two nations. These developments align with a prior report from Army Recognition, which had indicated that North Korea was set to commence deliveries of military resources in October.
Speaking anonymously due to the absence of official announcements, the US official, in conversation with CBS News, has conveyed that North Korea has commenced the transfer of artillery to Russia, seemingly with the intent of enhancing Vladimir Putin’s forces during their ongoing 20-month-long invasion of Ukraine. Significant aspects of this transfer remain shrouded in uncertainty, including whether it is a component of a newly established long-term supply chain or a more restricted delivery of weaponry. Furthermore, the precise terms regarding what North Korea is receiving in return for these artillery pieces remain undisclosed, contributing to the overall ambiguity surrounding this development.