![North Korea's 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampo Shipyard is seen on April 25. [YONHAP]](https://www.koreadailyus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0529-destroyerChoeHyon.jpg)
A multinational monitoring group has revealed that North Korea received advanced military equipment from Russia, including mobile air defense systems, in exchange for its support in the war in Ukraine. The report marks the first public disclosure of specific arms transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow since the collapse of U.N.-led monitoring last year.
The Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), created to replace the U.N. Security Council’s panel of experts on North Korea sanctions, issued its first report on May 29. The team, formed in October 2023, includes 11 countries such as South Korea, the United States, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom.
Report Details Weapons Transfers and Military Collaboration
According to the MSMT, Russia transferred at least one Pantsir-class mobile air defense vehicle to North Korea. A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said that since November 2023, Russia has supplied short-range air defense systems and jamming devices to North Korea, and provided training on their use. Additionally, Russia shared ballistic missile data and guidance system enhancements with North Korean counterparts.
The report also discussed the reality of a “black network” between North Korea and Russia. The MSMT specifically provided information on aircraft operated by the Russian Armed Forces Transport Aviation Command and the Russian state-run airline 224th Air Squadron used for arms transactions from November to December 2023.
Evidence of this cooperation emerged when North Korea unveiled the new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer, described by observers as a local version of an Aegis-class warship. The ship’s phased array radar and integrated weapons system resemble Russian technology, and some analysts noted similarities between its onboard air defense weapons and the Pantsir system.
Millions of Artillery Rounds and Tactical Missiles Supplied
The report also confirmed that North Korea sent approximately 9 million artillery shells to Russia last year. Early shipments involved 49 voyages by Russian cargo ships, followed by rail transport from Russia’s Far East to central storage facilities.
Since September 2023, North Korea has delivered the equivalent of 20,000 containers of artillery rounds and related supplies. These include shells compatible with various Soviet-era artillery such as the D-20, D-30, M-30, M-46, and D-74, ranging in caliber from 82mm to 170mm.
North Korea also transferred over 200 heavy artillery units, including 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers, enough to supply three full brigades. Roughly 100 KN-23 and KN-24 short-range ballistic missiles were also sent.
Troop Deployments and Labor Exports to Russia
In addition to weapons, the report noted that more than 11,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia last year to support war-related operations, with another 3,000 troops sent more recently.
North Korea has also dispatched at least 8,000 civilian workers to Russia, with thousands more expected in the first half of this year. These laborers are working in construction, light manufacturing, IT, and medical sectors, the report said.
The MSMT urged the international community to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, coordinate on designating new sanctions targets, and improve information-sharing mechanisms to prevent further evasion.
BY MOOYOUNG LEE [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]
