Ukraine Targets Fifth North Korean Artillery System Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine has destroyed its fifth North Korean artillery system in a month, targeting the M-1978 ‘Koksan’ self-propelled gun in Donetsk. North Korea’s military assistance to Russia has included missiles and troop deployments. Ukraine’s efforts have significantly reduced enemy artillery, emphasizing the effectiveness of their unmanned combat systems.

Recently, Ukraine has successfully targeted and destroyed its fifth North Korean-supplied artillery system within a month. The latest strike on a self-propelled gun occurred in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces are intensively engaged in combat with Ukrainian troops. This information was disseminated by Kyiv’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) through a post on X, previously known as Twitter.

North Korea has been instrumental in providing military support to Russia amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Since November 2024, Pyongyang has supplied over 100 short-range ballistic missiles and various artillery systems, including self-propelled guns and multiple-rocket launchers. Notably, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops have also been deployed to the front lines alongside Russian forces.

The USF stated in their X post that the 413th ‘Raid’ Battalion successfully identified and targeted an M-1978 ‘Koksan’ self-propelled gun, illustrating their ongoing efforts in this conflict. This type of artillery is characterized by its long-barreled design mounted on a tank chassis and is reported to be capable of firing at ranges up to 60 kilometers.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, confirmed that North Korea had delivered approximately 120 Koksan systems to Russia during late 2024 and early 2025. The Ukrainian forces disclosed that since the commencement of the war, they have neutralized around 25,000 enemy artillery systems, attributing the increased use of Koksan artillery by Russian forces to a shortage of conventional artillery.

Furthermore, on March 18, Ukraine’s airborne regiment targeted three Koksan systems in Kursk, employing High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to inflict damage. The USF specializes in utilizing unmanned systems in combat operations, underscoring the modern military strategies implemented by Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine expressed pride in their accomplishment in a recent post, remarking that “the artillery from North Korea burns just as well as Russian ones.” Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, highlighted the ongoing destruction of enemy equipment, showcasing efforts that have led to the neutralization of significant numbers of armored vehicles and tanks since the beginning of the year.

In summary, Ukraine’s recent military actions demonstrate significant successes against North Korean-supplied artillery systems, further complicating Russian military operations. The ongoing support from North Korea, coupled with past weapon deliveries, has intensified the conflict. With over 25,000 enemy artillery systems destroyed, Ukraine continues to effectively neutralize threats on the battlefield, showcasing the impact of modern warfare tactics.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com