Ukrainian drones strike rare North Korean artillery in Russia
Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance operators from the 14th Independent UAV Regiment, in cooperation with a rocket artillery unit, successfully destroyed three rare North Korean Koksan artillery systems in the Kursk region of Russia, reports Defense Express. 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 these defensive measures, Ukrainian drone operators detected the targets and adjusted the rocket artillery fire, using fragmentation and cluster ammunition to neutralise them.
Ukrainian drones remain threatening to Russians
The strike was 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 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 actually the 170 mm Koksan M1978. The weapon was first presented to the world in the late 1970s during a military parade in Pyongyang, hence the designation "M1978" – referring to the date of its debut.
This gun stands out primarily due to its calibre – 170 mm, which is quite an unusual solution, deviating 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 completely removed, and instead, a powerful long-barrelled gun, supported by massive supports, was installed.
The standard firing range of the Koksan is about 40 kilometres using classic fragmentation shells. Furthermore, according to available information, there is the possibility of using rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP), which allow for an increased range of up to 60 kilometres. However, the system does not have an automatic loading system, necessitating manual loading of heavy shells – a serious limitation, particularly in terms of firing speed. The maximum rate of fire is estimated at one to two rounds per minute.
