Fact Check: North Korea has supplied Russia with over 9 million artillery rounds.

Fact Check: "North Korea has supplied Russia with over 9 million artillery rounds."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that North Korea has indeed supplied Russia with a significant quantity of artillery rounds. According to a report by Euromaidan Press, North Korea sent approximately 9 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Russia, along with more than 100 ballistic missiles and over 200 heavy artillery pieces. This transfer is said to be sufficient to equip three full brigades. Additionally, a report from MSN corroborates this claim, stating that Russian-flagged cargo ships transported up to 9 million rounds of mixed artillery shells and ammunition for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) from North Korea to Russia.

Further details from Hankyoreh specify that these shipments occurred in 49 separate deliveries from January 1 to mid-December 2024. Another source, Pravda, also confirms that Russia received up to 9 million artillery and rocket munitions from North Korea, specifying the calibers involved.

Analysis

The claim that North Korea has supplied Russia with over 9 million artillery rounds is supported by multiple sources, which appear to be consistent in their reporting. The information comes from reputable news outlets that have covered the ongoing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

However, while the reports are consistent, the reliability of the sources should be considered. For instance, Euromaidan Press is known for its focus on Eastern European issues, particularly regarding Ukraine, which may introduce a bias in the framing of the information. Similarly, MSN aggregates news from various sources, which can sometimes lead to a lack of original reporting depth. On the other hand, Hankyoreh and Pravda are established news organizations, but they also have their own editorial slants—Hankyoreh is a South Korean outlet with a progressive stance, while Pravda has historical ties to Russian state media.

Despite these potential biases, the convergence of reports from multiple outlets lends credibility to the claim. However, the exact details of the shipments, including the types of ammunition and their intended use, remain somewhat unclear and could be subject to further verification.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified
While there is substantial reporting indicating that North Korea has supplied Russia with over 9 million artillery rounds, the claim remains unverified due to the potential biases of the sources and the need for further corroboration from independent or official channels. The consistency across multiple reports suggests a significant military transaction, but without concrete evidence or official confirmation, the claim cannot be definitively verified.

Sources

1. North Korea supplied Russia with 9 mn rounds of ammunition and 100 ballistic missiles since 2023
2. 100 missiles, 9 million shells, and more: UN reveals massive North Korean arms deliveries to Russia
3. After N. Korea sent 9M shells to Russia, Moscow provided it with a ...
4. North Korea supplied Russia with 9 million shells and 100 ballistic missiles