North Korea About to Double Artillery in Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief

• North Korea is ready to ship one other tranche of artillery programs to Russia, Kyrylo Budanov mentioned.
• The Ukrainian intel chief mentioned Pyongyang already has about 240 artillery programs in Russia.
• These are mainly homegrown self-propelled howitzers and multiple-launch rocket programs.

North Korea seems prefer it’s able to double down on Russia’s battle, per Ukraine’s army intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov.

Budanov, head of the intelligence company GUR, advised The Warzone that Pyongyang has already given Russia at the very least 120 M1989 “Koksan” self-propelled howitzers and 120 M1991 multiple-launch rocket programs. The M1989 makes use of a 170-mm caliber gun, and the M1991 is a 240-mm system.

Per The Warzone, Budanov mentioned the artillery deliveries have been made over the past three months, and that Pyongyang will possible ship one other tranche of about the identical quantity.

Each weapons are programs developed by North Korea, and their names — designated by the US — correspond to the 12 months when Western intelligence first found them.

Pyongyang maintains deep reserves of artillery programs and ammunition, constructed and stockpiled primarily to defend towards or threaten its rival, South Korea.

Its programs typically use some parts of Soviet or Chinese language weaponry. The M1989, for instance, is believed to make use of a modified Soviet artillery tractor to get round.

These are additionally a step up from the Nineteen Seventies-built North Korean weaponry that Russia was noticed utilizing in 2024.

Talking to The Warzone, Budanov mentioned each weapons are being utilized by Russia towards Ukrainian troops, and that North Korea helps to coach Russian operators to make use of the programs.

“The 170mm weapons have highly effective ammunition and good functionality,” Budanov mentioned. “The 240mm MLRS are like another heavy programs. They make extra issues on the entrance line.”

Moreover, Budanov mentioned North Korea is anticipated to ship one other 150 short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, after sending about 148 in 2024.

Intelligence businesses from the West and South Korea additionally say that Pyongyang has additionally despatched Russia about 12,000 troops from its elite “Storm Corps” models.

Western estimates say they’ve taken heavy casualties since arriving in late 2024 to Kursk. One of many newest tallies, reported by the BBC this week, cites nameless Western officers saying that 4,000 of the North Koreans have been killed or wounded. Enterprise Insider couldn’t independently confirm the authenticity of this determine.

Pyongyang’s losses in Kursk pale compared to the scope of the complete battle, with some Western estimates saying that Russia has suffered greater than 600,000 males wounded or killed.

Nevertheless, recurring North Korean help would supply Russia with a worthwhile supply of manpower and weapons. Whereas comparatively small in comparison with Russia’s whole battle consumption, that help might stand an opportunity to frustrate Western hopes that Moscow’s reliance on protection spending will grow to be unsustainable for its financial system.

The Kremlin’s protection finances has surged for the third 12 months since invading Ukraine in 2022. Navy spending made up 32.5% of its federal finances in 2025, up from 28.3% in 2024.