Russia taps into North Korean arsenal with rare D‑74 guns
The Russian army has been equipped with rare D-74 guns. Their production ceased many years ago, and they've been absent from Russian warehouses for a considerable time. It seems that the D-74 guns are yet another component of the growing support Russia is receiving from North Korea.
This enigmatic Russian weapon caught the interest of Ukrainian analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko. He shared photos on his Telegram profile of D-74 guns being used by Russians against Ukrainians, alongside old images from Russian warehouses for comparison.
D-74 guns in the service of the Russian army
"The differences lie in the details that might not immediately stand out, but they are present. The clearest distinction is in the wheels. In photo number 3, I posted a Soviet D-74 with noticeably different wheel shapes and tyre ribs. Consequently, we can confidently add the D-74 to the list of weapons provided to Russia by North Korea, which none of our partners have officially acknowledged yet. Although suspicions arose back in 2024 that such a rare weapon entered the Russian army not from its reserves, but from the DPRK," explains Oleksandr Kovalenko.
The Ukrainian analyst adds that the weapon in question was developed between 1947 and 1950, but by 1960, it was being phased out of the Soviet army's arsenal and sold to other nations. This resulted in the D-74 arsenal being significantly reduced even during the USSR's era. According to the 2023 Military Balance report, the Russian army had no D-74 guns in 2023.
Russians may have never seen this weapon
Regardless, the Russians should not run out of ammunition. Countries to which these guns were supplied began local production and could provide ammunition alongside the weapons themselves. In this case, the Russians are using North Korean OF-472 shells (cal. 122 mm). The range is approximately 19 kilometers.
Kovalenko, however, notes that the D-74 guns are weapons that most Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine may never have encountered. This raises questions about their effectiveness, especially since weapons and ammunition from North Korea are often considered defective, as Russians themselves have repeatedly pointed out.
"The D-74 is a unique artillery piece that even experienced artillerymen may not have encountered in their careers," writes the Ukrainian analyst.
Russia's biggest ally
Initially, North Korea supplied Russia with artillery ammunition. As the conflict in Ukraine continued, the military aid from North Korea to Putin's forces expanded to include weapons as well.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, reported that in 2024, Pyongyang delivered to Moscow about 120 M1989 "Koksan" artillery systems, 120 M-1991 multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) with a calibre of 240 mm, and nearly 150 short-range ballistic missiles KN-23. This is in addition to the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
