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"After the meeting between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, more than 2 million 120-mm and 82-mm mortar mines were sent to Russia from the DPRK. Mortar mines are currently the largest component of ammunition sent from the DPRK to the Russian Federation. In fact, by firing up to 5,5 shots per day with this component alone, the ROV will be able to ensure a stable level of conduct (combat operations - ed.) throughout the year. But will they be able to?" — analyzes Kovalenko.
He draws attention to several aspects. According to the reviewer, the first of them is that the quality of North Korean mines, according to his data, is extremely low. This applies directly to ammunition and additional powder charges.
The second nuance is the number of shots. As Kovalenko points out, 5,5 thousand shots per day is a high rate of fire, but in 2022 the share of mortar fire among the Russians exceeded 15-20 thousand per day. At the current intensity of fire, according to Kovalenko, the enemy sometimes fires 15 shots a day using all means of combat.
The third nuance is that in the third year of the war, the Russians had fewer mortars, and without their import from a third country, millions of mines would be ineffective. Therefore, according to the analyst, among the containers sent from the DPRK to Russia, there may be not only ammunition, but also the tools themselves - 120-mm and 82-mm mortars.
"However, all these points absolutely do not cancel the acute problems of cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, why there cannot be a diplomatic solution. The decision is exclusively of a military nature, related to strengthening support for Ukraine," Kovalenko emphasized.
