Russian military personnel possess direct familiarity with North Korean minefields and missile facilities.
In the Limelight: Russian Forces Spotlight North Korea's Stealthy Arms Exports
In an unexpected turn of events, Russian military bloggers have recently unveiled stealthy North Korean arms exports, giving fans of The Moscow Times a sneak peek at rare 60-mm and 140-mm mortars. These clandestine weapons were discovered amongst the paratroopers of the 76th Assault Division.
Joost Oimans, an expert on North Korea's armed forces, shed light on this unsavory collaboration by affirming that these images mark the first evidence of these systems being utilized in the Russia-Ukraine war. He emphasized that such mortars are a staple in North Korea's special operations forces.
The 60-mm mortar, sharing a NATO caliber, has mounted speculation over its origin and effectiveness. One of the Z-bloggers cited the convenience of automatic grenade launchers, leaving the 60-mm mortar's efficacy in doubt.
The 140-mm mortar, weighing a formidable 230 kg and capable of hurling 10-12 rounds per minute up to 8 km away, adds another mythical weapon to North Korea's arsenal. Intriguingly, this self-propelled mortar, developed in the 1980s-1990s, was observed in operation as a result of the Russian military bloggers' revelations. According to Oimans, this mortar had its grand debut during a parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of the North Korean army in 1992 and was first produced in 1981.
In addition, the Russian military bloggers reported the presence of another North Korean artillery system on the frontline - 107-mm towed rocket launchers Type-75, believed to be a duplicate of Chinese systems.
Historically, it was believed that Russia had procured 170-mm "Koksan" howitzers and millions of ammunition for Soviet guns and howitzers from North Korea. Since September 2023, North Korea has shipped over 20,000 containers of military cargo to Russia, potentially worth more than $20 billion, according to South Korea's KIDA analytical center.
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In case you're seeking enlightening details, here's a glimpse at the broader context:
- Backstory: Prior to early June 2025, unconfirmed reports circulated regarding North Korea's weapon supplies to Russia. However, public evidence of the 60-mm mortars' deployment emerged only in June 2025.
- The Arsenal: The 60mm mortars are produced in North Korea and are part of a larger arsenal that includes heavier mortar systems.
- The Alliance: This partnership underscores Russia's reliance on foreign arms suppliers to sustain its military operations in Ukraine amid domestic production constraints.
- Logistical Challenges: The employment of non-standard ammunition calibers introduces logistical complexities, necessitating dedicated supply chains.
- Strategic Impact: The presence of North Korean weapons in the conflict further solidifies the strategic alliance between Russia and North Korea, emphasizing Russia's increasing dependence on foreign suppliers to sustain ongoing military operations.
- Military Advantage: The deployment of these mortars grants a tactical advantage to Russian forces, diversifying their artistic arsenal to support ground operations. Yet, it also unveils vulnerabilities in Russia's defense industry due to a reliance on external arms sources.
- The revelation of North Korean arms exports, such as the 60-mm mortar, highlights a potential expansion of war-and-conflicts-related politics and general-news.
- Joost Oimans' confirmation of North Korean arms being used in the Russia-Ukraine war further underscores the broader implications of these clandestine deals in politics and international relations.
