In a report cited by British media from Ukrainian intelligence sources, it has been revealed that after sending over tens of thousands of troops, North Korea has provided Russia with long-range rocket and artillery systems, with some already delivered to Kursk, Russia, to be used against Ukrainian forces.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea has provided approximately 50 homemade 170mm M1989 self-propelled artillery pieces and 20 sets of 240mm multiple rocket launch systems to Russia in the past few weeks. These multiple rocket launch systems are capable of firing both standard and guided rockets.
This latest round of weapon deliveries demonstrates North Korea’s expanded support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Michael Kofman, a senior researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that these actions align with North Korea deepening its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, “from providing vast amounts of ammunition and weapons to directly becoming a party to this war, which may help Russian forces retake the Kursk region.”
Kofman mentioned that North Korea played a crucial role in providing millions of shells to Russia in 2023.
Various Western intelligence assessments suggest that North Korea has increased its participation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict this year by dispatching over 12,000 soldiers to support Russia, further internationalizing the conflict.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted on November 16 after meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi that North Korea has become an ally of Russia. Russia is training North Korea to participate in modern warfare, which could lead to greater destruction.
After photos of the North Korean self-propelled artillery circulated online recently, Ukrainian officials provided related information.
Click here to view these photos.
The M1989 self-propelled artillery from North Korea was manufactured in 1989 and can fire shells up to 60 kilometers away. It is an improved version of the M1979 self-propelled artillery produced in the 1970s, which North Korea provided to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War.
The improved rocket system from North Korea is based on the Russian-made BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launcher. In May, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested this improved system with precision-guided weapons.
A senior Ukrainian official informed the Financial Times that North Korea now aims to test these weapons in actual combat. Ukraine expects these weapons to be used against their forces on approximately 600 square kilometers of land occupied by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region.
Military analysts say that Ukrainian forces occupied around 1,100 square kilometers of land in the Kursk region during an offensive in August, but have since lost nearly half of it. The 600 square kilometers of land still held by Ukraine could be a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Russia.
Ukrainian officials told the Financial Times that on November 4, their forces engaged in a small-scale skirmish with North Korean troops for the first time, but North Korean forces have not yet participated in larger ground combat operations.
Ukrainian officials believe that North Korean forces, including special forces, will play two roles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict: as combat infantry and as forces to control the land recaptured by Russia.
Kofman mentioned that North Korean forces can tactically benefit Russian forces in the Kursk region, but this largely depends on the number of North Korean soldiers and how they are utilized.
He explained that by deploying North Korean troops in the Kursk region, Russia can allow its own forces to “continue offensive operations in other parts of eastern Ukraine.”