Unmanned Systems Forces’ 412th NEMESIS Regiment pilots have for the first time engaged a North Korean 170mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery system.

The regiment’s press service shared the video on its Telegram channel.

The system was destroyed in the Luhansk region by a night bomber drone.

This is the first recorded case of the destruction of this type of self-propelled artillery system during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

As a reminder, the movement of echelons with North Korean M1989s through Russia was recorded back in November and December 2024.

In January 2025, these units were first spotted directly at the front at the disposal of Russian, not North Korean, artillerymen.

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, 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 the 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.