Nemesis on the Hunt: Ukrainian Drones Hit Four North Korean Self-Propelled Artillery Systems

Drone pilots of the Unmanned Systems Forces have destroyed four 170-mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems made in North Korea.

This was reported by the press service of the USF.

The combat mission was carried out by soldiers of the 412th Nemesis Regiment. Judging by the released footage, bomber and FPV drones were used for the strikes.

The strikes hit both the barrel and the breech area, which effectively disable the system: the debris damages the barrel, making further operation impossible.

The systematic defeat and destruction of such self-propelled artillery systems at the front line may indicate a massive rearmament of Russian artillery units with North Korean systems.

Back in May, it was reported that Russia had armed one of the newly formed artillery brigades with these systems. This is a unit that is part of the Leningrad Military District, which was restored in 2024.

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 probable 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 line.

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