Speaking to Ukrinform, Ivashchenko detailed a robust military-technical exchange between Pyongyang and Moscow, which includes 120 M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems and an equal number of M1991 multiple rocket launchers, both critical assets in modern warfare.

The artillery shells at the heart of this reported exchange are primarily 122mm and 152mm rounds, standard calibers in Soviet-designed artillery systems widely used by Russian forces. The 122mm shells are compatible with systems like the D-30 howitzer, a towed artillery piece known for its mobility and reliability, capable of firing high-explosive rounds up to 15 kilometers.

The sheer volume of six million shells, if accurate, suggests a logistical operation of unprecedented scale, potentially involving thousands of shipping containers moved by sea or rail through routes that may include North Korea’s Rajin port and Russia’s Vostochny or Dunay ports.

The M1989 Koksan, a 170mm self-propelled artillery system, is a cornerstone of North Korea’s contribution to Russia’s arsenal. Named after the city where it was first observed by Western intelligence, the Koksan is mounted on a modified tank chassis, likely derived from the Soviet T-62, and boasts an impressive range of up to 60 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles.

Its long barrel and heavy caliber make it one of the most powerful artillery systems in North Korea’s inventory, designed to target strategic locations like Seoul from hardened positions along the Korean Demilitarized Zone.