North Korea sends artillery to Ukraine as Pyongyang’s troops withdraw from front line

North Korea is set to increase its artillery support for Russia, with plans to deliver over 100 artillery systems, originally designed for use against South Korea, to the conflict in Ukraine.

The 170mm M1989 Koksan howitzers, known for their long range and dubbed "juche cannons," were built to strike Seoul in the event of war, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

These artillery pieces are now being repurposed to bolster Russian forces in the ongoing battle against Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, confirmed that North Korea has already sent at least 120 Koksans, along with 120 M1991 multiple-launch rocket systems, to the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. Budanov indicated that Pyongyang plans to double its artillery deliveries in the near future. Open-source analysts suggest that some of these weapons are already en route.

The M1989 Koksan, a 40-ton self-propelled gun, was first unveiled in 1989 and is capable of firing shells over 25 miles (40 km). North Korean troops are reportedly training Russian forces in their operation, and some of these artillery systems have already been deployed in combat. In December, footage emerged of a train transporting the cannons, followed by images of them in action in Kursk by early January.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that North Korean soldiers have temporarily withdrawn from certain sections of the front line in Kursk. According to Ukrainian sources, Pyongyang’s troops are regrouping and possibly recovering from heavy losses.

Ukrainian commanders have claimed that North Korean soldiers, unfamiliar with modern warfare, have been particularly vulnerable to drone and artillery strikes. Some describe the foreign troops as being used as "cannon fodder" in large-scale assaults, reminiscent of World War II tactics.

Since October, North Korea has sent approximately 11,000 soldiers to aid Russian forces in repelling Ukrainian troops from the Kursk border region. With these reinforcements reportedly preparing to deploy additional troops, US officials believe more North Korean personnel may arrive in Russia within the next two months.

Despite the ongoing military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang, neither government has publicly confirmed the direct involvement of Kim Jong-un in the war, although two North Korean prisoners of war have been captured by Ukrainian forces. The situation remains fluid, with analysts closely monitoring North Korea’s growing role in Russia's military operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev