North Korea Has Sharply Cut Arms Shipments To Russia

• 30.01.2026, 20:29

Details.

North Korean arms shipments to Russia slowed sharply in January, writes NK News. Only one Russian ship, believed to be involved in a military supply scheme, entered the port of Rason in northeastern North Korea during the month, Planet Labs satellite imagery data shows. The ship docked Jan. 14 at a pier associated with DPRK arms exports for the war in Ukraine. Analysis of hull parameters indicates that it could be one of the two sanctioned Russian ships Angara or Lady R. These ships have previously played a key role in arms shipments.

This is the first recorded visit to Rason by a Russian vessel since December 21. Meanwhile, containers began piling up at the pier as early as Dec. 27-31, or two weeks before the ship's visit. No new containers were recorded at the berth after January 19. From October through December, Russian ships called at Rason at least three times a month. In January, the activity dropped sharply. A similar drop was observed in January 2025.

The reason could be weather conditions, NK News writes. Normally, cargo from Rason is delivered to the port of Vostochny in Russia's Far East. In early January, the harbor was partially ice-free, but by January 24 it was almost completely frozen over. This could create risks for navigation of small vessels. At the same time, satellite images show low activity among large ships as well. Severe frost and the heaviest snowfalls in 20 years also affected Vladivostok and Nakhodka, although the port of Rason itself remained ice-free.

Political reasons may have also contributed to the slowdown in shipments. According to NK News, Pyongyang may have suspended operations in Rason amid preparations for the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which is scheduled for the first half of February. The congress may discuss new guidelines for the country's military and foreign policy. The situation could also be affected by ongoing negotiations between the US, Russia and Ukraine.

Since 2023, the DPRK has supplied Russia with between 6.5 and more than 8 million artillery ammunition, which could cover up to half of the Russian army's needs, NK News reported. The supplies included about 250 KN-23 ballistic missiles, Koksan long-range guns, 240mm and 107mm multiple rocket launchers, 60mm and 140mm mortars, cluster munitions, and 100mm shells for T-54/55 tanks. The Ukrainian side recorded the last confirmed strike using KN-23 missiles or the Russian Iskander-M complex on December 13. No new data on the use of North Korean ballistic missiles has been received since then.