Recent images posted on a Russian Telegram channel show a Russian soldier scrubbing rust off North Korean-made 82mm mortar shells, sparking discussions about the quality of munitions being sent to support Russia’s war effort.
Cleaning Off Rust
The video, shared by WarTranslated on X (formerly Twitter), which is known for sharing and translating Russian-language content, captures a scene of soldiers humorously struggling to clean and sort the ammunition, according to Hotnews.
In the footage, one soldier, with a hint of laughter, describes the process:
"Here’s how we prepare the ammunition — cleaning off the rust, sorting, and packing."
Another soldier replies with a chuckle while washing the shells in a metal box filled with water:
“Some of us have to film, others have to clean.”
Many May Be Defective
The scene highlights growing concerns over the condition of North Korean artillery being supplied to Russia.
The aged, rust-covered shells raise questions about the reliability and safety of these munitions, with analysts suggesting that many of them may be defective.
According to Western intelligence sources cited by The Times last month, a significant portion of the North Korean artillery shells shipped to Russia are believed to have issues, potentially including flaws in explosive consistency.
Additionally, Ukrainian outlet Defence Express reported further complications, noting that variations in the explosive load of North Korean shells could impact their effectiveness.
Russian military bloggers have also blamed North Korean ammunition for explosions that have damaged Russian artillery, suggesting a pattern of malfunctions.
In recent months, North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with thousands of artillery shells and over a thousand rockets, allegedly receiving massive financial compensation — estimated by some Western sources to be equivalent to a quarter of North Korea's GDP.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that thousands of North Korean soldiers are stationed near the Ukrainian border, with the possibility that they could enter combat in the coming days.
