North Korea has given Russia low-quality weapons manufactured in the 1970s

South Korean media reported that Russia is using North Korean artillery shells to invade Ukraine, which may have been fired in the 1970s.

Here's What We Know

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) told the Yonhap news agency that it is investigating reports that North Korea supplied its ally Russia with weapons made five decades ago.

"The NIS is analysing the relevant circumstances in detail and continues to monitor the overall military cooperation between North Korea and Russia," the intelligence agency said.

Earlier, Ukraine, the United States and the United Nations accused North Korea of transferring millions of shells and other weapons to Russia, which are used in its campaign in Ukraine.

Russia is constantly increasing the number of shells it can produce domestically to supply its troops in the war with Ukraine. However, Russia has also turned to its ally North Korea for help.

According to a US Congressional report in early May, North Korea has provided Russia with "10,000 shipping containers of ammunition or related materials (potentially containing more than 3 million artillery rounds) since October 2023".

However, Ukraine said in December that North Korean shells often have defects and explode before being fired, damaging Russian artillery and mortars and even killing soldiers.

Source: Yonhap