Ukrainian HIMARS Strike on North Korean Artillery in Kursk Region

A drone video from Ukraine’s 14th Separate Regiment shows the targeting of North Korean artillery systems in Russia’s Kursk region by a HIMARS strike, which may have resulted in significant damage. North Korea has supplied numerous Koksan units to Russia, reinforcing their military capabilities, as usage of these systems continues amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

A video released by the press service of Ukraine’s 14th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems Forces demonstrates the successful identification and targeting of North Korean M1989 Koksan 170mm artillery systems using drones. These self-propelled guns, located in a forested region of Russia’s Kursk oblast, were reportedly camouflaged and outfitted with slat armor designed to resist kamikaze drone attacks.

Following the confirmation of the location, drone operators requested a strike from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) or M270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), deploying both high-explosive and cluster munitions. While the exact impact of the strike remains uncertain, visual evidence suggests that the Koksan guns may have sustained significant damage, with potential casualties among crew members as these systems lack armored protection.

Reports indicated that North Korea has supplied Russia with approximately 120 M1989 Koksan units, transported by train during November and December 2022, to counteract Russian military losses incurred since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Notably, military analysts found that North Korean artillery ammunition comprised more than 50%, and in several jurisdictions exceeded 70%, of the resources deployed by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine by the end of 2024.

In addition, the Atesh partisan movement noted in October that Russian soldiers were receiving training on the Koksan artillery at the Higher Artillery Command School in Saratov. The utilization of these guns has been observed with operation by both Russian and North Korean personnel, highlighting the depth of collaboration in military assets. On February 18, a Koksan SPG was reportedly destroyed in a subsequent strike from a bomber drone operated by Ukraine’s 412th “Nemesis” Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade in the Luhansk region.

In summary, the recent drone-directed HIMARS strike against North Korean Koksan artillery systems reflects the ongoing military exchanges between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The prevalence of North Korean artillery and ammunition within Russian ranks underscores a significant supply chain, while the damage inflicted by Ukraine’s military capabilities raises questions about the effectiveness of these supplied weapons on the battlefield. As the conflict evolves, the interactions between these military forces continue to command attention.

Original Source: www.kyivpost.com