Aerial reconnaissance units of the 14th Separate Regiment of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with a rocket artillery unit, targeted three North Korean M1989 Koksan 170mm self-propelled guns (SPG) In Russia’s Kursk region.
A video posted on Facebook by the regiment shows its drones detecting the artillery systems and guiding a HIMARS strike to destroy them.
According to the unit, the artillery systems—supplied to the Russian army as military aid from North Korea—were hidden in the woods. To further conceal and protect them from drones, Russian forces had installed protective grills on the vehicles.
After being identified by Ukrainian drones, the SPGs were struck by an M142 HIMARS, which fired high-explosive and cluster munitions.
This marks the second confirmed strike on Koksan SPGs during the Russia-Ukraine war. The first was destroyed by operators of the 412th “Nemesis” Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces in February 2025 in Luhansk.
The M1978 Koksan is North Korea’s longest-range towed artillery system, equipped with a 170mm gun capable of firing up to 60 km. Originally designed to target Seoul from north of the Demilitarized Zone, Russian forces are now using it in Ukraine to compensate for artillery losses.
Reports indicate that since late 2023, North Korea has sent approximately 120 Koksan systems to Russia, along with anti-tank missile vehicles, rocket launchers, and air defense systems.
