North Korea unloads shells for Russia within the Dunay close to Vladivostok

The analysis group at Frontelligence Perception has meticulously examined the transport strategies used to maneuver projectiles from the DPRK to the Russian Federation. We’ve additionally regarded into the three major bases used for storage earlier than these munitions are distributed to the forces on the frontline. 

In accordance with the findings from our in-depth research, these North Korean weapons start their journey to the Russian Federation at Raijin port, located in DPRK’s northeastern area. From there, container vessels journey to a small harbor close to the village of Dunay, in Primorsky Krai [Konyushkov Bay], situated near Vladivostok. 

Containers arrive at Konyushkov Bay. Let’s take a journey down reminiscence lane. Again within the late Seventies, throughout the period of the USSR, this bay housed the ninth Division of Diesel Submarines and in addition served as a weapons depot. This depot included ballistic and cruise missiles for strategic submarines named “Shkotovo-16”, though it was thought of deserted by 2021.

From the port to the railway stations

In the case of comfort, this transport hub doesn’t hit the mark. From what we are able to see in satellite tv for pc imagery as of June 2022, there’s not a crane in sight, and there’s no trace of a railway line close to the piers. 

A research means that, given this situation, container transportation requires some critical technique. To get these containers onto railway platforms, they have to first make an roughly one-kilometer journey by truck from the berths.

Three bases are hosts

Within the Russian Federation, shells originating from the DPRK are sometimes transported to certainly one of three rear bases. The primary of those is the 719th base, situated within the Tikhoretsk district of the Krasnodar Territory. Satellite tv for pc imagery signifies that its growth commenced round mid-August 2023. Given the circumstances, it seems that this base serves as the first artillery ammunition depot for the Russian Federation. 

The second base is Mozdok, located in North Ossetia. This location is reportedly the place ballistic missiles are saved. Nevertheless, the Frontelligence Perception OSINT group has not discovered any stable proof of weapon transportation to this base. Curiously, its proximity to the airport, which is residence to Tu-22M3 bombers and MiG-31Ks, is value noting. This airport additionally accommodates the Russian Air Pressure’s transport plane.  

The third base on our checklist is a new, quaint warehouse near the Egorlitske village within the Rostov Area. Nestled inside an deserted airport’s premises, simply three kilometers from the village, this base began seeing the preliminary building of ammunition shelters in September 2023. 

As soon as the ammunition is in place, it’s then distributed to numerous Russian models on the frontlines. The distribution course of includes utilizing each navy and civilian automobiles for transportation to mini bases on the entrance line.

Why up to now?

One may conclude that the choice of Konyushkov Bay as a base within the Far East, regardless of its perceived impracticality, might stem from a need to obscure the switch of ammunition from the DPRK. It’s noteworthy that that is high-risk cargo – ought to it ignite, it might devastate the port. 

Upon reflection, selecting a distant, if considerably inconvenient port, does have its personal logic. Moreover, the deserted subterranean infrastructure of the earlier Soviet base might function a haven for ammunition storage. 

Within the panorama of major bases, it’s affordable to counsel the 719th base, situated a mere three kilometers from Tikhoretsk. Considerably, it sits alongside an airbase, formally recognized because the 627th coaching aviation regiment, which has the requisite gear to deal with Il-76 navy transport plane. It’s pertinent to say that Tikhoretsk is roughly 290 km from the present frontline.

In late October

In late October 2023, BulgarianMilitary.com disclosed proof suggesting a important cargo of artillery ammunition from North Korea to Russia. The Ukraine Weapons Tracker, as soon as outstanding on Twitter earlier than it transitioned to social community X, introduced an unexpected disclosure by way of leaked pictures. The pictures prominently featured 122-mm and 152-mm projectiles, illuminating the potential scope and complexity of the collaboration between these nations. 

Intelligence collated by ERR.ee means that Ants Kiviselg, the chief of the Estonian Protection Forces’ intelligence division, confirms the arrival of 350,000 ammo models from North Korea to the Russian Federation. Provided that Russia makes use of roughly 10,000 models per day, this cache might maintain operations for simply over a month.