“North Korea hands Russia about 50 Koksan self-propelled guns and 20 self-propelled guns — FT November 17, 03:24 Share: Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un (Photo: Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS) North Korea handed Russia about 50 M1989 self-propelled artillery systems Koksan and 20 rocket launchers, some of which were deployed in the Kursk region. This is reported by the Financial Times”, — write on: ua.news
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un (Photo: Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS)
North Korea transferred about 50 M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems and 20 rocket launchers to Russia, some of which were deployed in the Kursk region.
This is reported by the Financial Times with reference to Ukrainian intelligence data.
According to the publication, based on a Ukrainian intelligence report, in recent weeks, North Korea has sent to Russia approximately 50 170 mm M1989 self-propelled guns and 20 upgraded 240 mm multiple rocket launchers, which are capable of using both conventional and high-precision missiles.
This information appeared after a photo of North Korean howitzers was shared on social networks, which was identified by open source analysts as being taken in the Krasnoyarsk region of Russia. The pictures showed howitzers, covered with camouflage netting, being transported by rail to the west.
The M1989 is an upgraded version of the M1979, which was developed in the late 1970s and supplied to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. These howitzers are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 60 km.
The modernized missile system is based on the Soviet BM-27 Uragan, a 220-mm multiple rocket launcher designed to use cluster munitions. In May, North Korea announced a successful test of this high-precision guidance system.
A senior official from Ukraine told the FT that Pyongyang intends to test the new weapons under combat conditions. Kyiv expects that these systems will be used against Ukrainian forces that hold about 600 sq. km of territory in the Kursk region of Russia.