Ukraine Strikes North Korean Artillery in Russia’s Kursk, Highlighting Military Cooperation

Ukraine has successfully struck three North Korean-supplied artillery guns in Kursk, emphasizing North Korea’s involvement in aiding Russia’s military efforts. Thousands of North Korean soldiers are reportedly assisting Russian forces as both nations have strengthened their defense relations since June. This collaboration has enabled Russia to reclaim key territories lost to Ukraine.

Ukraine has reported that its military successfully struck three long-range artillery guns in Russia’s Kursk, which were supplied by North Korea. This incident emphasizes North Korea’s increasing involvement in aiding Russian military efforts against Ukraine. The operation was executed by an aerial reconnaissance unit from the 14th Separate Drone Regiment, which detected the M-1978 howitzers and coordinated a response from Ukrainian rocket artillery units.

The M-1978 Koksan self-propelled artillery system, equipped with a 170mm gun, possesses an impressive range of up to 60 kilometers. Originally designed to target Seoul, these artillery units are now being utilized by Russian forces as a means to compensate for their artillery losses in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Ukrainian military indicated that North Korean forces may include as many as 12,000 soldiers deployed within Russia to assist in combating Ukrainian forces.

The evidence suggesting that North Korea has been supplying weaponry to Russia is growing, likely intended to bolster Russia amid significant artillery losses. Previous reports from Ukraine indicated that a drone had successfully targeted a North Korean self-propelled howitzer in the Luhansk region, marking a significant occurrence since the start of the invasion.

Additionally, a troop formation equipped with North Korean weaponry was identified in the Tyumen region of Russia. South Korea disclosed that North Korea had dispatched approximately 7,000 containers of weaponry to Russia recently, bringing total shipments to 20,000.

Recent reports indicate that the influx of North Korean forces, along with air superiority, has allowed Russia to reclaim critical territories, including the town of Sudzha, which was previously held by Ukraine. This reliance on North Korean resources highlights the Kremlin’s commitment to regaining lost ground in the Kursk region following months of Ukrainian control.

The relationship between North Korea and Russia has strengthened since their mutual defense treaty was signed in June. A recent Russian delegation visited North Korea to discuss defense matters concerning troop deployments amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts related to a ceasefire proposal from the U.S.

The recent developments underscored in Ukraine’s military engagement signify a deepening of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict against Ukraine, providing military resources and personnel to Russian forces. The strategic implications of this assistance could have lasting effects on the ongoing war, as highlighted by the successful strikes against North Korean artillery systems. Furthermore, the enhancement of relations between North Korea and Russia in defense matters may signify a more coordinated approach to their military strategies.

Original Source: www.rfa.org