North Korea Arms Russia with M1991 Rocket Launcher, A City-Destroying Weapon

Russia has received North Korea’s most destructive MLRS yet, the M1991, Forbes reported. Originally designed to devastate Seoul, the system’s 60-kilometer range matches the distance from the North Korean border to the South Korean capital. This weapon is capable of unleashing rapid, city-shattering firepower, staying true to its purpose of inflicting massive urban destruction.

In the spring of 2024, North Korea successfully tested precision-guided rockets for the M1991, further enhancing its threat potential.

Specifications and capabilities

First introduced in the 1990s, the M1991system has undergone continuous advancements by North Korea’s military-industrial complex.

• Caliber: 240 mm

• Shell Weight: 187 kg

• Range: 40 to 60 km, depending on ammunition type

The M1991 is engineered for long-range strikes on enemy equipment and troop concentrations, but its design for targeting civilian areas like Seoul highlights its devastating potential for indiscriminate city bombardment. Capable of firing 22 rounds in under a minute, the system can quickly relocate to evade counterattacks.

A clear threat to Ukrainian cities

With Kharkiv just 40 kilometers from Russia’s border—well within the M1991’s range—concerns are mounting that Russia could use these systems to shell Ukrainian cities, especially in border areas. Russia has already employed aviation and guided bombs to strike cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, and the deployment of the M1991 significantly heightens this threat.

The exact number of M1991 systems delivered to Russia remains unclear. North Korea reportedly provided up to 100 of various types of military equipment, along with a staggering 9 million artillery shells. North Korea’s entire military-industrial complex is now focused on supplying the Russian military in exchange for financial resources, raw materials, and advanced military technologies for missiles, fighter jets, submarines, and nuclear weapons, Western media reported.

The primary defense against systems like the M1991 is to push Russian weaponry farther from the border and front lines using Western-supplied arms. The United States, United Kingdom, and France have already authorized the use of long-range systems such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles. Ensuring a consistent supply of these systems to Ukraine is critical to countering this escalating threat.