The Times named the main ally of Putin in the war against Ukraine.

Russia is becoming dependent on weapons it receives from North Korea. According to Western intelligence, half of the artillery shells used by Russia are supplied by the DPRK. This amounts to about 1.5 million shells per year out of a total volume of 3 million.

This dependence of Russia on North Korea was reinforced after Putin's visit to Pyongyang. Despite the fact that many North Korean shells may be defective, their number has helped Russia achieve successes on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Despite this, Russia suffers significant losses. About 1200 Russian soldiers die daily, of which 480 - in the battles for the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

According to The Times, Russia is currently unable to simultaneously capture Pokrovsk and oust Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region without a mass mobilization. However, the Russian authorities are so far refraining from such a step. Western intelligence sees no prospects for negotiations in the near future.

Previously, the media noted that Putin exploits the indecision of the West to strengthen his aggression in Ukraine.