NK News report… Analysis of videos and photos from Russian state TV, etc.
Expert “Identifies characteristics of North Korean weapons such as blue shells”
NK News, an American media outlet specializing in North Korea, reported on the 1st (local time) that videos and photos of Russian troops using shells presumed to be North Korean-made on the battlefield in Ukraine are being exposed through Russian media.
NK News said, “A number of photos and videos released by Russian media in recent weeks show Russian troops using various types of North Korean rockets and artillery shells against Ukraine,” citing an expert, adding, “The “It is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The media cited a photo of Kherson, southern Ukraine, posted on a war correspondent’s Telegram two days before the end of the year as the most recent example. The post reads, “Russian Marines are celebrating the New Year to the enemy with North Korean-made 122mm Grad Multiple Launch Rockets (MLRS).”
The photo shows a Russian soldier dressed as Santa Claus and a blue rocket with a sarcastic message written in Russian. The locket has the words “Gift of Death from Father Frost of Russia to Santa Claus Deer” spelled incorrectly.
Jost Olimans, author of ‘North Korean Army’ and military expert, believes that North Korea may have supplied Russia with about 500,000 artillery shells and four types of weapons, including 120mm mortars, 122mm and 155mm artillery shells, and 122mm rockets, since early November last year. It was assessed that there was.
Olimans told NK News, “The first evidence to believe that North Korean-made 152mm MLRS artillery shells fell into Russian hands was seen at the end of October last year,” adding, “Photos of the weapon appeared on the pro-Russian Telegram and an open source researcher’s social media. “I did it,” he pointed out.
Olimans also said that he confirmed the 122mm Grad MLRS, presumed to be made in North Korea, in a video posted by the Russian Ministry of Defense on social media in early December last year, and pointed out, “This is right after a Russian soldier said on camera, ‘I received a rocket from a friend.’”
He also claimed that on December 25 last year, in a Russian state TV video, he discovered that the Russian military had used 152mm shells that appeared to be made in North Korea near Luhansk.
The ‘Soviet-type’ shells, the ‘Latin markings of an unknown manufacturer’, and the weapon boxes with a color and structure ‘that can only be found in North Korea’ all indicate that they are North Korean-made weapons.
“North Korea’s 152mm artillery shells can be identified by their ‘bright blue projectiles’ and ‘warhead cases made of plastic,’” Olimans said, pointing out that “this type of artillery shell has not been used in this war before.”
Tal Invar, director of the Space and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Center at Israel’s Fisher Institute for Aerospace Strategy, agreed with Olimans’ analysis, saying, “North Korean artillery shells are often blue and gray.”
The United States believes that North Korea began shipping weapons to Russia in August last year. The South Korean government also announced in November last year that Russia may have received more than 1 million 152mm artillery shells from North Korea.
NK News claimed that Russia was secretly transporting containers from North Korean ports to a military port near Vladivostok using several sanctioned ships. The United States assessed that this container was loaded with munitions and military equipment.
“The fact that North Korean artillery shells appeared in Ukraine shortly after weapons supplies were known to have begun adds weight to the U.S. claim,” Olimans said. “I think that claim has now been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” “What is needed for complete proof is second evidence,” he said.
North Korea and Russia deny the arms deal allegations.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.