Ukraine claimed it struck three North Korean artillery guns in Russia, indicating deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia. Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers are reported in Russia, and North Korea has supplied significant weaponry to bolster Russian efforts in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Ukraine has reported striking three long-range artillery guns supplied by North Korea to Russia, highlighting North Korea’s significant involvement in aiding Russia’s military efforts against Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military, an aerial reconnaissance unit from the 14th Separate Drone Regiment identified M-1978 howitzers concealed within a forest and coordinated an attack using Ukrainian rocket artillery.
The M-1978 Koksan self-propelled artillery system, North Korea’s longest-range artillery, features a 170mm gun with a reach of up to 60 kilometers. Initially designed to target Seoul, these systems are now employed by the Russian Armed Forces to mitigate artillery losses in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Reports indicate that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers are operating in Russia to support defensive operations against Ukrainian forces, particularly following an August counterattack in Kursk. This presence has not been confirmed by either Pyongyang or Moscow.
Evidence suggests that North Korea has supplied artillery to Russia, aiming to replace its own lost military assets. Earlier this year, a Ukrainian drone hit a North Korean self-propelled howitzer in Luhansk, marking a rare instance where such weaponry has been targeted. Additionally, North Korean military formations equipped with Koksan howitzers have been observed in Russia’s Tyumen region.
According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has sent approximately 20,000 containers of weapons to Russia, reflecting a significant escalation in their military cooperation. Recent reports cite Ukrainian officials and soldiers claiming that the increased presence of North Korean troops, along with air superiority, has enabled Russia to reclaim territory in Kursk.
The reliance on North Korean forces underscores Russia’s commitment to recovering territory lost to Ukrainian control over the past seven months. Following a mutual defense agreement between the two nations earlier this summer, the relationship between North Korea and Russia continues to strengthen across various sectors. A recent visit by a Russian delegation to North Korea, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, focused on discussing defense collaborations surrounding North Korean troop deployments to Russia amid ongoing conflicts.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s military actions against North Korean artillery highlights the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The presence of North Korean troops and their military equipment signifies a concerted effort by Russia to reclaim lost territories, indicating a potentially escalating and dire situation in the region. As these alliances continue to develop, further implications may arise for the geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
