Ukraine is shelling the invaders with shells from North Korea
10 July, 2023 The launch of a North Korean rocket from the Ukrainian BM-21 Grad MRL, July 2023. Photo credits: Radio Svoboda In the war against the Russian Federation, the Ukrainian servicemen are using rockets manufactured in North Korea.
Militarnyi reports with reference to the photo published by Radio Svoboda. Ukrainian journalists published a photo report in which they showed the work of the crew of the Grad multiple launch rocket system of the 47th Mechanized Brigade "Magura". The camera caught 122-mm projectiles.
The markings they had were similar to the North Korean ones.
122mm rocket in use by the Ukrainian military, July 2023. Photo credits: Radio Svoboda
Militarnyi compared the photos with those taken of Korean ammunition seized on an Iranian ship in 2009. Then they tried to transfer it to Hamas terrorists.
The inscriptions on the shells and the R-12 HE index are completely identical. There are differences in the last line, where the series and date of manufacture are marked.
- Comparison of the marking of a rocket produced by the DPRK and ammunition recorded in the use of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Comparison of the marking of a rocket produced by the DPRK and ammunition recorded in the use of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The rocket photographed in the hands of a Ukrainian gunner, judging by the inscription, was manufactured in 1995. It is unknown how North Korean ammunition got into the arms of the Ukrainian armed forces.
After all, this is a country closed to the world, and its government has repeatedly expressed support for Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories. It can be assumed that these shells, as well as weapons produced by Iran, reach Ukraine from Western allies, who periodically conduct raids and intercept contraband weapons that are headed for terrorists in the Middle East. Besides, a scheme with the resale of ammunition by third countries or their participation as an intermediary in trade schemes cannot be ruled out.
The Iranian ammunition manufactured in 2022, i.e. already during the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, has been spotted in the hands of the Ukrainian military several times.
The possible participation of Ukraine in such gray trade schemes with the purchase of Korean rocket munitions is explained by their acute shortage.
Ukraine's defence industry does not produce 122-mm rockets, and Eastern European manufacturers such as Bulgaria and Serbia are unable to meet the demands to the full extent.