Drone pilots of the Ukrainian 14th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces detected and guided artillery fire at three North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems.

The video was released by the regiment’s press service.

According to the report, the positions of artillery—camouflaged and protected by slat armor—were detected by a drone in the Kursk oblast, Russia.

The M1989 were then targeted by the M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, which struck with high-explosive and cluster munitions.

The results of the strike remain unknown.

The first defeat of the M1989 by the Ukrainian Defense Forces was recorded on December 18, 2025. The system was hit in the Luhansk region by a nighttime bomber drone.

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

By January 2025, they were observed at the frontlines under the control of Russian, rather than North Korean, artillery crews.

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 170-mm 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 at the front.

The only artillery system that can match it is the Soviet 203-mm self-propelled 2S7 Peon, but only when using active-reactive shells.