A new report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), published on 29 May, confirms that North Korea (D​PRK) supplied at least 100 ballistic missiles, 9 million artillery shells and rockets, and over 11,000 troops to Russia, violating multiple UN Security Council’s resolutions and directly supporting Moscow’s war on Ukraine. 

The report titled “Unlawful Military Cooperation including Arms Transfers between North Korea and Russia” outlines extensive cooperation between North Korea (D​PRK) and Russia that breaches numerous UNSC resolutions. 

“Arms transfers between the D​PRK and Russia each constitute violations of the arms embargo [established under four UNSC resolutions]. Furthermore, Russia’s training of North Korean soldiers involving arms or related matériel is a violation” of four more resolutions, the report reads.

MSMT urges the international community to strengthen sanctions enforcement, share intelligence, and designate individuals and entities involved in D​PRK-related violations. The report includes calls for renewed efforts to monitor, expose, and prevent North Korea-related sanctions evasion, improved maritime inspections, financial monitoring, and collaborative international efforts to curb the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance.

Illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

MSMT participating states report that over 20,000 containers of munitions have been sent from D​PRK to Russia since 2023, including at least 9 million rounds of artillery and rocket ammunition. Among these were 122 mm and 152 mm shells and 122 mm rockets. 

“Both the D​PRK and Russia are violating the UN arms embargo on the D​PRK through these transfers,” the report reads.

The shipments were delivered by sea and rail, then transported to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia, according to the report.

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Missile strikes linked to North Korean weapons

According to MSMT data and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate, North Korea has also transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, used in strikes on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. UN experts confirmed that a Hwasong-11 ballistic missile fired at Kharkiv in January 2024 originated in North Korea. Conflict Armament Research (CAR) also documented five missiles with North Korean origin in Ukrainian territory in 2024.

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Troop deployment and training

The MSMT states that over 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia in late 2024. These forces were trained by Russian units in artillery, UAV operations, and trench combat. North Korean troops participated in combat in Kursk Oblast, including in Plekhovo and Malaya Loknya. Losses were reported in early 2025 near Makhnovka. D​PRK confirmed the deployment in April 2025, citing the D​PRK-Russia Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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Russian transfers of weapons and support to D​PRK

In exchange for military support, Russia transferred air defense systems, including at least one Pantsir-class vehicle, and advanced electronic warfare systems to D​PRK. MSMT states that Russia also provided missile telemetry data to help North Korea improve its missile accuracy.

Sanctions violations extend beyond arms transfers

MSMT reports confirm that North Korea received over a million barrels of refined petroleum products from Russia in 2024, breaching the annual UN-imposed cap. Additionally, Russia facilitated the employment of D​PRK workers in sectors including construction, forestry, and textiles. At least 481 North Koreans were reportedly sent to Russia between December 2024 and February 2025.

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MSMT identified numerous vessels and aircraft used in these operations, including Russia-flagged ships like ANGARA and MARIA and military aircraft like the IL-76 and AN-124. These were used to carry arms and missile-related cargo in violation of sanctions. Many ships operated without tracking systems or insurance, indicating deceptive practices.

Russia helped D​PRK circumvent financial restrictions by opening ruble accounts for North Korea at MRB Bank in South Ossetia. These accounts were used by sanctioned North Korean banks to conduct international transactions, according to the report.