Ukraine has struck three M-1978 artillery guns supplied by North Korea to Russia, demonstrating North Korea’s involvement in the conflict. The artillery system has a range of 60 kilometers and is intended to support Russian forces amid their territorial disputes with Ukraine. Evidence shows a deployment of North Korean soldiers assisting Russian efforts in Kursk, reflecting the strengthening ties between the two nations.
The Ukrainian military has reported a successful strike against three long-range artillery guns supplied to Russia by North Korea. This incident emphasizes North Korea’s increasing involvement in supporting Russian military efforts against Ukraine in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian forces, using aerial reconnaissance from the 14th Separate Drone Regiment, identified M-1978 howitzers concealed in wooded areas, leading to coordinated strikes from Ukrainian rocket artillery.
The M-1978 Koksan artillery system, recognized as North Korea’s longest-range tubed artillery, features a 170mm gun with a striking range of up to 60 kilometers. Initially designed to target Seoul from the north of the demilitarized zone, it has now been adapted for use by the Russian Armed Forces to mitigate their artillery losses amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
Reports suggest that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers are currently deployed in Russia to assist in combat against Ukrainian forces occupying parts of Kursk following a counterattack in August. While both Pyongyang and Moscow remain silent about this troop presence, evidence continues to emerge of North Korea’s weapon supplies intended to bolster Russian military capabilities.
Earlier in February, Ukrainian sources indicated that a North Korean howitzer had been destroyed by drone strikes in the Luhansk region, marking the first Ukrainian engagement against the M-1978 Koksan howitzer since Russia’s invasion began in 2022. Furthermore, recent reconnaissance has revealed troop formations with North Korean equipment in Russia’s Tyumen region that included modernized M-1989 Koksan howitzers.
Recent assessments by South Korea noted that North Korea dispatched around 7,000 containers of weaponry to Russia in preceding months, accumulating a total of 20,000 containers aimed at aiding the Russian military. Additionally, Ukrainian officials have indicated that the infusion of North Korean troops and air superiority has allowed Russia to recapture key locations, such as the town of Sudzha, further reflecting Moscow’s tenacity in reclaiming lost territories.
The situation underscores the significant role that North Korea plays in reinforcing Russian military efforts against Ukraine, particularly in the Kursk region. Their collaboration has not only facilitated new troop deployments but also provided essential military hardware to withstand Ukrainian counteroffensives. The development signifies the ongoing ramifications of the military alliance between North Korea and Russia following their mutual defense treaty, shaping the landscape of the current conflict.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
