An American publication NK Pro, which specializes in analyzing events and processes in North Korea, writes about this, citing satellite images from Planet Labs.

According to NK Pro, in January North Korea reduced its arms shipments to Russia for the war in Ukraine – only one shipment was sent, three times smaller than in the previous months.

Experts note that the Russian freighter “Angara” or “Lady R.” called at Rason port in the northeastern part of the DPRK only once and loaded containers of weapons.

The previous shipment from Rason occurred on December 21; the new batch was staged on the pier on December 31 and prepared for dispatch, but the Russians took it only two weeks later.

Previously, arms shipments from the DPRK to Russia were recorded at least once a week – i.e., no fewer than three shipments per month.

The main reason for the reduction, experts say, is the difficult weather conditions in the Far Eastern Russian ports involved in logistics with the DPRK. Usually ships transport cargo from Rason to Vostochny Port, which at the beginning of January had light ice, but by January 24 had completely frozen and navigation was suspended due to high risks to shipping.

Meanwhile, the low temperatures and the heaviest snowfall in two decades affected the operation of two other Russian ports in the region – Vladivostok and Nakhodka, while Rason remained ice-free.

Since 2023 NK Pro notes that North Korea annually supplies Russia with 6.5 million to over 8 million artillery shells, covering almost half of Moscow’s needs for the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang has also delivered Russia nearly 250 KN-23 missiles, long-range artillery systems “Koksan”, 240-mm and 107-mm MLRS, 60-mm and 140-mm mortars, cluster munitions and 100-mm shells for T-54/55 tanks.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly documented the use of KN-23 missiles by Russian forces during attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv; reports also mention ongoing improvements in their accuracy and reliability.

Under international norms, arms trade between UN member states and North Korea is prohibited by several UN Security Council resolutions, supported by Russia among others, so arms supplies between these countries are illegal.

In January there was also information about testing of an upgraded large-caliber MLRS to evaluate its effectiveness.

Consequences of Reduced Shipments

Experts believe that the reduction in maritime shipments complicates the logistics of replenishing ammunition and weapons for the Russian army in Ukraine. However, monitoring of the region continues, and market participants are seeking ways to adapt to changing weather conditions and port accessibility.