HIMARS Strikes Three North Korean Koksan Artillery Systems in Kursk Region, Video

According to Ukraine’s 14th Separate UAV Brigade, Ukrainian forces successfully identified and targeted three North Korean-produced Koksan self-propelled artillery systems in Russia’s Kursk region.

Operators of the Brigade detected the artillery positions and adjusted fire for a strike carried out by HIMARS, which employed both high-explosive fragmentation and cluster munitions.

Russian forces had attempted to shield the systems using improvised protective structures, commonly referred to as “grills,” intended to reduce the effectiveness of FPV drones. However, this measure did not prevent the precision strike.

North Korean Koksan in Kursk region

The Koksan is North Korea’s longest-range self-propelled artillery system, first identified in 1979. It has been used by both North Korea and Iran and was originally designed for counter-battery operations.

Features of the Koksan SPG:

• Caliber: 170mm

• Range: Up to 40 km with standard shells, 60 km with rocket-assisted shells

• Firing rate: 1-2 rounds per 5 minutes

• Crew protection: Open-mounted design, no armor

• Ammunition transport: 1979 model requires a separate vehicle; 1989 model carries 12 shells onboard

According to Ukraine’s ATESH partisan movement, Russian forces are training on North Korean self-propelled artillery systems at the Higher Artillery Command School (VAKU) in Saratov. The Koksan, first observed in Russian service in October 2024, operates with an eight-member crew.

Earlier, on February 18, Ukraine’s OSUV Khortytsia reported the first confirmed destruction of a North Korean M-1978 Koksan in combat. Fighters from the 412th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Nemesis” allegedly targeted the system in Luhansk region.