Ukraine's drone operation takes down rare North Korean artillery
According to Defense Express, Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance operators from the 14th Independent UAV Regiment, in collaboration with a rocket artillery unit, successfully destroyed three rare North Korean Koksan artillery systems in the Kursk region of Russia. The entire event was recorded using a drone.
The artillery, supplied to Russia as military aid from North Korea, was hidden among trees and equipped with makeshift covers against FPV drone attacks. Despite the defensive measures, Ukrainian drone operators detected the targets and adjusted the rocket artillery fire, which used fragmentation and cluster ammunition to neutralize them.
Ukrainian drones remain threatening to Russians
The strike was most likely carried out using HIMARS systems. This is the second confirmed attack on the Koksan system since the start of the full-scale invasion. The first occurred in February 2025 in the Luhansk region, reminds the Ukrainian war-themed service. A recording of the moment of impact on the North Korean equipment can be seen below.
Koksan - North Korean support for Russia
The Koksan artillery system is one of the more mysterious self-propelled guns to appear on the modern battlefield. It originates from North Korea, and its full name is the 170 mm Koksan M1978. The weapon was first unveiled to the world in the late 1970s during a military parade in Pyongyang, hence the designation "M1978," which refers to its debut date.
This gun stands out primarily due to its calibre – 170 mm- an unusual specification that deviates from the standards used by most armies worldwide. The Koksan is based on a T-55 tank chassis or its local North Korean version, but the turret was removed entirely, and instead, a powerful long-barrelled gun, supported by massive supports, was installed.
The Koksan's standard firing range using classic fragmentation shells is about 40 kilometres. However, according to available information, rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP) could potentially increase this range to 60 kilometres. The system does not feature an automatic loading mechanism, necessitating manual loading of heavy shells—a significant limitation, particularly concerning firing speed. The maximum rate of fire is estimated at one to two rounds per minute.
