Russia shells Ukraine's Kherson with North Korean clusters – Defense Express
Photo: unexploded submunition from a North Korean cluster shell (National Police)
Russian forces have begun using cluster munitions produced in North Korea to shell Kherson. North Korean clusters are extremely dangerous for civilians, as they are a failed attempt to copy the corresponding US models, according to Defense Express and the Kherson National Police.
For the first time, photos of cluster munitions after the shelling of Kherson were published by the police. According to law enforcement, the munitions were found in the city’s coastal areas. The police shared the photos, noting that the markings on the munitions had been erased.
Afterwards, photos of the munitions were published by the local channel SPZh Vodograi. In these photos, the hieroglyphs on the bodies of the submunitions from the cluster can be clearly seen, confirming that these shells were produced in North Korea.
DE notes that there is a widespread belief that the cluster munitions could be launched from the 240mm M1991 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) supplied by North Korea to the Russian army. It is also possible that the Russian forces are using a copy of the Soviet BM-21 Grad – the VM-11.
"However, Defense Express emphasizes that it is reliably known that Russia also received 107mm cluster rockets for the Type-75 from North Korea. These munitions have long been actively used by the enemy," the article states.
What North Korea put in its clusters
The submunition used in North Korean cluster shells has been given the designation JU-90. It is, preliminarily, a rather unsuccessful attempt by North Korea to copy the American M42 submunition, which is used in M483 and M864 155mm artillery shells.
In the North Korean JU-90, the key components responsible for the submunition’s combat effectiveness were simplified and cheapened as much as possible. Replacing these components with primitive analogues has resulted in many JU-90s failing to detonate, which poses a huge danger to civilians.
"That is why the police warn that these submunitions must not be touched or moved, and if found, the relevant authorities should be notified immediately," the news agency writes.
Supplies from North Korea for the Russian regime
North Korea has been supplying Russian forces with weapons, ammunition, and military equipment for the war in Ukraine for several years. In particular, the Russian army may have received over 12 million artillery shells from North Korea.
On July 12, the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that North Korea currently provides Russia with almost half of the ammunition that the Russian forces use in the war.
