The external pilots of the 413th RAID Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces detected and struck a North Korean M1989 Koksan self-propelled gun in the Donetsk region.

The press service of the Unmanned Systems Forces published the video of the destruction on social media.

The enemy artillery system, with a caliber of 170 mm, was deployed at a firing position.

In the past month, Ukrainian defenders have successfully destroyed five self-propelled artillery systems of this type.

Based on the released video, external pilots used a drone bomber to strike the M1989 Koksan self-propelled gun in the Donetsk region. The footage captures the moment when the Ukrainian drone drops at least three munitions on the target with precision.

The exact damage caused to the Koksan self-propelled gun by these explosions is unknown, but it can be assumed that it may have been temporarily disabled or sustained more significant damage. Additionally, no detonation of munitions stored near the artillery system was recorded.

Previously, 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 artillery positions—camouflaged and protected by slat armor—were detected by a drone in the Kursk region, Russia.

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

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.

Koksan self-propelled gun

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 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.