In recent months, the flow of military equipment and materials that North Korea is transferring to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine has been intensifying. This includes the transfer of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, as well as long-range artillery systems and troops on the ground. One of the latest reports from Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) indicates that Russian Ground Forces currently operating in Kursk are employing rocket artillery systems disguised as civilian trucks. This type of MRLS system has previously been observed in various parades held by Pyongyang, showcasing its asymmetric combat capabilities against its southern neighbor.
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In recent days, various OSINT sources have begun circulating videos showing the presence of multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS), which, concealed within specially adapted containers, use civilian roads for transportation.
Over time, both Russian and Ukrainian users have pointed out that these systems are likely located in the Kursk Oblast, currently a battleground between Ukrainian and Russian forces, where the former seek to retain territory gained in the last major counteroffensive, and the latter aim to expel them.
Although the exact location of these MRLS has not been confirmed, several details have been observed. First, in addition to the platform being used, it resembles systems officially showcased by North Korea during a military parade marking the 75th anniversary of its founding.
On that occasion, artillery systems concealed and camouflaged within containers were observed, transported by civilian trucks. The vehicles in question carried what appeared to be a twelve-tube rocket artillery system capable of firing 122mm projectiles. During that military parade, various trucks carrying these systems were displayed, including tractors hauling trailers equipped with rocket launchers, anti-tank guns, and missile launchers.
The adoption of such systems makes sense when considering the asymmetric warfare tactics employed by North Korea in a hypothetical conflict against South Korea. These vehicles, hidden in plain sight, could move freely, bypassing surveillance and detection systems deployed in the operational area until the precise moment to strike, subsequently relocating to attack again. Moreover, their use raises serious concerns for command chains regarding the possibility of deliberately targeting civilian sites.
This tactic, applied to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, might be employed by the Russian Ground Forces, considering the significant surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence capabilities—based on unmanned aerial vehicles and other platforms—in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
However, in addition to the aforementioned advantages, it must be noted that these civilian trucks lack the capability to operate off-road or on unpaved routes, limiting their mobility in unprepared terrain. This suggests their use might be intended for urban combat.
Regardless of specific considerations, the presence of these systems adds to the substantial amount of North Korean-origin equipment currently being used by the Russian Armed Forces and presumably by North Korean troops in the operational theater. Before the appearance of these trucks, one of the latest reports indicated the transfer of M-1978/1989 Koksan self-propelled artillery systems in mid-November.
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