Ukraine has struck three North Korean artillery guns in Russia, highlighting North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russian military efforts against Ukraine. The M-1978 Koksan howitzers, identified by Ukrainian forces, showcase the extent of military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the contested Kursk region where North Korean troops are also reportedly present.
Taipei, Taiwan reports that the Ukrainian military has successfully targeted three long-range artillery guns, specifically the M-1978 Koksan howitzers, which were supplied to Russia by North Korea. This action emphasizes North Korea’s role in supporting Russia’s military operations against Ukraine, particularly in the Kursk region.
Identified by an aerial reconnaissance unit from the 14th Separate Drone Regiment, the howitzers were located strategically amidst trees. The M-1978, the longest-range artillery of North Korea, boasts a 170mm gun with a striking range of up to 60 kilometers. Originally, it was designed to target Seoul but is now employed by Russian forces to replenish their artillery capabilities lost during the conflict.
Reports indicate that around 12,000 North Korean soldiers are present in Russia, participating in military operations against Ukrainian forces, particularly following the August counteroffensive. Pyongyang and Moscow have not confirmed this troop presence, although evidence suggests North Korea has been supplying weaponry to assist Russia in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine has previously reported striking a North Korean self-propelled howitzer in the Luhansk region, marking a significant event in the conflict as it was the first time such a rare howitzer, the M-1978 Koksan, was downed by Ukrainian forces. Televised disclosures also indicated that North Korean equipment was notably sighted in Russia’s Tyumen region.
Furthermore, South Korean intelligence revealed that North Korea had dispatched approximately 7,000 containers of armaments to Russia, contributing to the extensive supply of weaponry.
According to The Washington Post, the recent influx of North Korean troops and their air superiority have facilitated Russia’s recapture of the town of Sudzha, marking a strategic loss for Ukraine in the Kursk region, which had been under Ukrainian control for seven months.
The escalating collaboration between North Korea and Russia was further underlined by a recent visit from a Russian delegation to North Korea to discuss military cooperation, particularly concerning troop deployments amid international discussions on a ceasefire for the conflict.
In summary, Ukraine’s military engagement has successfully targeted North Korean-supplied artillery in Russia, underscoring a significant element of North Korea’s alliance with Russia in the ongoing conflict. The presence of North Korean troops and their contributions to Russia’s military efforts in the Kursk region reveals a concerning shift in dynamics. This cooperation is emblematic of the deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, with implications for the broader conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
