Russia’s Ammunition Imports from North Korea Hit Record 52% Share
Russia’s military efforts are increasingly reliant on foreign supplies, with over half (52%) of all explosive materials delivered to Russian arsenals in 2024 originating from North Korea.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a new report by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Institute.
The report highlights a sharp increase in ammunition shipments from North Korea, which reached 244,000 tonnes in 2024, mainly through ports in Russia’s Far East, such as Nakhodka.
These supplies have been distributed to major Russian ammunition depots, including the 51st and 68th Arsenals and the Kedrovka Base, compensating for Russia’s depleted domestic production.
As Russia’s Soviet-era equipment reserves dwindle, shipments from storage bases fell by 29% in 2024, Chinese machinery and components have become a lifeline for the Kremlin’s war machine.
Imports of Chinese vehicles, spare parts, and precision equipment rose to nearly 850,000 tonnes in 2024, keeping Russia’s defense industry operational despite Western sanctions.
The KSE Institute notes that Russia’s stockpile of tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles has been significantly reduced, dropping from 242,000 tonnes in 2022 to 156,000 tonnes in 2024.
The reliance on external suppliers underscores both the weakness of Russia’s domestic production and the growing geopolitical axis involving Moscow, Pyongyang, and Beijing.
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