It has been revealed that Russia is using outdated North Korean-made mortars, which were previously only seen at North Korean military parades or in museums, in its war against Ukraine.
According to NK News, a U.S.-based media outlet specializing in North Korea, on June 5 (local time), photos of 60mm mortars supplied by North Korean forces to Russia's 76th Guards Air Assault Division, which was deployed alongside North Korean troops on the Kursk front, were posted on a Russian military expert blog.
It has been reported that North Korea's special operations forces brought these mortars to Russia and are using them alongside AK-12 rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-tank guided missiles, and anti-tank grenade launchers.
Military expert Joost Oliemans told NK News, "Most North Korean weapon calibers are based on Soviet designs, but the 60mm mortar and the 170mm Koksan self-propelled gun are exceptions," adding, "It is notable that these are based on Western, particularly U.S., calibers."
Oliemans explained that this caliber was only used for self-propelled mortars developed by North Korea in the 1980s and 1990s. He stated, "Except for North Korea, there is no country operating 140mm caliber guns," and added, "The only evidence that a 140mm mortar ever existed is in the Korean People's Army (KPA) museum."
The Western military media outlet Defense Blog pointed out that, before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, it was one of the world's largest arms exporters, but now it imports weapons from foreign countries such as North Korea and Iran. The outlet added, "Russia's dependence on foreign imports is increasing not only for shells and drones, but also for small arms and support systems. This is because Russia's defense industry manufacturing and supply chain is being disrupted by international sanctions."
According to NK News, Russian military bloggers have also reported sightings of North Korean-made 107mm Type 75 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) on the Ukrainian front lines.
Additionally, it has been reported that Russia has received hundreds of 170mm Koksan howitzers and 240mm multiple launch rocket systems from North Korea, as well as millions of rounds of ammunition compatible with Soviet-era cannons and howitzers.
Since late last year, North Korean Type 73 light machine guns have also been spotted in use by Russian forces. North Korea supplied this weapon in large quantities to Iranian forces during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, and it has since been seen in use by Syrian and Yemeni Houthi rebel forces.
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