A Russian T-80 tank participates in the multinational military exercise ‘Vostok-2022’ held at the Uspenovsky training ground on the outskirts of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Sakhalin Island on the 4th (local time). yunhap news
Reports have emerged that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, is buying millions of shells and rockets from North Korea.
The New York Times reported on the 5th (local time), citing a US intelligence official, that “details about the exact timing of purchase, method of shipment and scale have not been confirmed.”
“[Russia’s import of North Korean shells]is a sign that global sanctions (led by the US) have severely restricted Russia’s military supply chain, forcing it to turn its attention to North Korea, a pariah state,” he said.
Earlier this month, the US government announced that Russia had imported military drones (UAVs, unmanned aerial vehicles) from Iran. However, mechanical defects were found in some drones, and the US government said, “The Russian military is experiencing a severe shortage of equipment in Ukraine due to sanctions and export controls. ” said
In addition, the U.S. government judges that the reason why it is trying to purchase rockets and shells from North Korea, which are not high-tech weapons, is because the situation of the Russian military is so desperate. Frederick W. Kagan, a military expert at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), said, “There is no advanced technology in the 152mm shells or Katyusha missiles produced by North Korea.” ) can’t even produce materials.”
It is estimated that Russia used more than 3,000 missiles in this war. Forbes recently reported that as the war prolongs, experts estimate that not only precision missiles such as Iskander missiles, but also old missiles will remain.
The recent intensification of attacks by Ukrainian forces on ammunition depots with US-sponsored rockets may also have played a part in the Russian shell shortage. Russian forces are responding to the attack by moving ammunition stores.
Meanwhile, an internal Russian report was leaked to the press that day that the Russian economy could fall into a long-term deep recession due to Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.