The North Korean regime is preparing to expand its support to Russia in the war against Ukraine, a plan that includes the deployment of additional troops, attack drones, heavy artillery, and ammunition. These moves by Pyongyang were recently reported by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, an organization that has been providing updates on North Korean expeditionary forces stationed in Russian territory.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, “…a comprehensive assessment of multiple intelligence sources indicates that North Korea is preparing to rotate or increase its troop deployments (in Russia), while currently supplying 240mm multiple rocket launchers and 170mm self-propelled artillery.” It is worth noting that videos showing North Korean M1978 Koksan self-propelled artillery vehicles being transported by train through Russia went viral a few days ago, suggesting that Pyongyang’s plans to escalate its assistance to Moscow are already underway.
The main advantage of the Koksan self-propelled artillery is the long range of its 170mm gun, which is estimated to be between 50 and 70 kilometers, depending on the type of ammunition. Once deployed to the front lines, these systems will rank among the longest-range self-propelled artillery units in the conflict. Additionally, 240mm multiple rocket launcher systems could join the Koksans in the offensive.
North Korea has also provided Russia with several models of short-range ballistic missiles, possibly to compensate for the shortage of similar Russian systems. While Moscow denies that Western sanctions have impacted its defense industry, the arrival of missiles and ammunition from North Korea seems to confirm such speculations.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff also noted that “…there are some indications that (the North) is moving toward the production and supply of suicide drones, first revealed during Kim Jong-un’s on-site inspection in November…” These North Korean unmanned aerial vehicles would complement the Iranian-made Shahed drones, which are also produced locally in Russia under the Geran designation and are regularly used to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Regarding North Korean personnel deployed in Russia, various intelligence agencies have confirmed that the contingent numbers over 12,000 troops, who have already seen combat and suffered significant casualties. South Korea’s intelligence agency suggested that approximately 1,100 North Korean fighters have been killed or wounded in action.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently stated that North Korean casualties exceed 3,000 soldiers. “Now, according to preliminary data, the number of North Korean soldiers killed and wounded in the Kursk region has already surpassed 3,000,” said Ukraine’s head of state.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: KCNA.
