**North Korea Expands Arms Production and Shipment to Russia**
Satellite images have revealed a significant expansion of North Korea’s weapons production facilities. This expansion is likely in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), satellite imagery shows that missile manufacturing facilities are being rapidly expanded, including new construction at a plant on North Korea’s eastern coast. The facility produces Hwasong-11 class missiles, also known as KN-23 and KN-24.
**Increased Shipment of Munitions**
Railroad traffic across the Russia-North Korea border has reached record highs this year. This is after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year. Satellite data shows that the number of railcars has tripled since then.
Around 200 munitions factories in North Korea are operating at full capacity to produce weapons. Russia is also transferring fuel and equipment to support Pyongyang’s arms manufacturing.
**Benefits for Both Nations**
The military exchange between North Korea and Russia benefits both countries. According to reports, North Korea has received over a million barrels of oil since March, twice the annual cap imposed under United Nations sanctions. This could have earned Pyongyang up to $5.5 billion in arms deals with Russia.
North Korea has shipped 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia, including five million artillery shells and over 100 Hwasong-11 class missiles. A senior Ukrainian intelligence official described these missiles as having “impressive” range despite potential imprecision.
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