FPV Drone of 103rd Brigade Destroys North Korean Koksan Self-Propelled Gun

The Strike Drone Company “Chornyy Stryzh” (Common Swift – ed.) hunted down a North Korean Koksan self-propelled gun.

A video of the hit was published on the official page of the Strike Drone Company “Chornyy Stryzh”.

In total, two FPV drones were used to destroy the artillery system. One of them set it on fire, causing significant damage.

Initially, the artillery system was spotted by the defenders in a field along with a tracked vehicle resembling an armored recovery vehicle, which was likely being used to evacuate the Koksan self-propelled gun.

While in use with the Russian army, it was equipped with anti-drone protection, which to some extent increased its resistance to drone strikes, particularly from FPV drones and drones with drop munitions.

The first drone strike hit the front part, specifically the engine-transmission compartment, but did not cause serious damage or consequences.

The second drone detonated underneath the anti-drone protection, resulting in the fuel tank being pierced and a fire breaking out, which led to the destruction of the system.

It should be noted that this loss was the fourth for the North Korean Koksan SPGs in the war against Ukraine.

The first losses to these systems were inflicted by the 412th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment “NEMESIS”, which struck a North Korean self-propelled gun in the Luhansk region using a night bomber drone.

Later, in March 2025, the external pilots of the 14th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces detected and adjusted artillery fire onto three North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems.

The movement of trains with North Korean M1989s through Russia was recorded in November and December 2024.

According to the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, Russia has received 120 self-propelled guns of this type and is expected to receive the same number in the future.

Koksan

The M1989 Koksan is a 40-ton North Korean-made self-propelled artillery system first seen at a parade in the city of Koksan in 1989.
The unit uses a rare 170mm caliber, and its long-barreled cannon provides a significant range.

According to available data, the range of conventional shells is 40 km, and when using active-reactive ammunition, it can reach up to 60 km.

The likely rate of fire is 1-2 shots every 5 minutes.

In terms of range, the Koksan is significantly superior to all barrel artillery currently used by Russia on the front line.

The only artillery system that can match it is the Soviet-era 203mm self-propelled 2S7 Pion, but only when using rocket-assited shells.