Recent photographs and reports suggest that Russian forces have begun deploying North Korean Type 73 machine guns, a Cold War-era weapon, as part of their ongoing war efforts in Ukraine.
The Type 73 machine gun, first adopted by North Korea in 1973, combines design features from Soviet and Czech firearms.
The weapon uses the Russian 7.62x54mmR cartridge and integrates elements from the Soviet PK machine gun and the Czechoslovak Vz. 52/57. It features a dual-feed system, allowing it to use both top-mounted box magazines and belt-fed ammunition.
#Russia / #Ukraine 🇷🇺🇺🇦: A couple of notable photos posted by combatants of #Russian Armed Forces.
Seemingly RuAF obtained 7.62x53mmR “Type 73” light machine guns —manufactured and supplied by #NorthKorea/#DPRK 🇰🇵.#UkraineRussiaWar️️ pic.twitter.com/ErKAEoLlKt
— War Noir (@war_noir) November 7, 2024
Unusually for a machine gun of its class, the Type 73 includes a fluted barrel and a muzzle device enabling the firing of rifle grenades. The weapon has appeared in conflicts in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
North Korean Type 73 7.62x54R machine gun inspected by Russians. pic.twitter.com/5INZto8Kio
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) December 23, 2024
The images of Type 73 machine guns, which surfaced on Russian social media on November 7, were reportedly taken in Russia’s Kursk region. While the exact origin of these weapons remains unclear, they are believed to have been supplied by North Korea.
Some reports suggest they were brought by North Korean troops to support Russia’s war efforts while other accounts stated the guns might have been part of a broader arms shipment from North Korea, which has previously provided Russia with artillery rounds, short-range ballistic missiles, and anti-tank weaponry.
