Ukraine's Chief Military Intel Says North Korea Provides 50 Percent Of Russia's Ammunition On The Battlefield

Head of Ukrainian intelligence Kyrylo Budanov. (Wikimedia Commons/Have to say good luck

JAKARTA - Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov on Sunday said North Korea provided 50 percent of Russia's ammunition needs on the front lines of fighting with Ukraine.

Budanov said at a press conference North Korea had also started a large-scale supply of howitzer self-propelled 170 mm and a 240 mm dual rocket launch system to Russia.

"We cannot ignore their strategic ally, North Korea, which meets 50 percent of all frontline ammunition needs. Fifty percent of ammunition comes from Korea (North)," Budanov said, quoted by Ukrinform.

North Korea has also supplied ballistic missiles to Russia, and by 2025 plans to send 148, he added.

"Until now, Russia has received 120 units of each type of system, with a total of 240 units. After that, with the help of Russian specialists, the system is modernized, and its accuracy becomes acceptable. This year, North Korea will send 148 such systems again," said Budanov.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign intelligence chief By Ivashchenko added that Russia plans to produce more than 7 million artillery and mortar shells by 2025.

"Russia understands that in general they produce far more than all European countries," he said.

Regarding the long-range missile, Ivashchenko said Russia is expected to produce around 3,000 this year.

North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russian troops, according to Ukraine, the United States and South Korea's assessment, Pyongyang's first major involvement in the war since the 1950s.