Forbes reports that the Ukrainian 14th Regiment may have damaged three North Korean M1989 howitzers in a drone strike coordinated with HIMARS on 18 March in Kursk Oblast. The heavy M1989 Koksan artillery primarily serves under North Korean military, and prior strikes have already targeted similar assets. The ongoing conflict in the region shows the continued resistance and tactical adjustments made by Ukrainian forces despite significant challenges.
The Ukrainian 14th Regiment of Unmanned Aerial Systems reportedly damaged three North Korean M1989 howitzers through a coordinated strike. This occurred on or just before 18 March when drone operators identified the artillery hidden in tree lines within the Kursk Oblast of western Russia.
After locating the M1989s, the drone team relayed their coordinates to a nearby Ukrainian battery presumably armed with High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The US has supplied Ukraine with around 40 HIMARS units, and the battery launched at least one M30 rocket that detonated above the treetops, scattering numerous submunitions on the vulnerable howitzers and their crews. The outcome of the strike remains challenging to evaluate.
The M1989 Koksan, a heavy self-propelled artillery system from North Korea, has a weight of 40 tons and was first revealed in a 1989 parade. With its rare 170-mm caliber, this artillery system is capable of impressive ranges, achieving up to 40 km with conventional shells and up to 60 km with active-reactive rounds.
Forbes indicates that North Korea has sent numerous military vehicles to support Moscow, including M1989s, rocket launchers, anti-tank missile vehicles, and air defense systems. Ukrainian drones and artillery had previously destroyed at least one M1989 and several Bulsae-4 anti-tank launchers before this strike.
Concurrently, a substantial Ukrainian contingent maintained a position in Kursk until recent weeks when the Rubicon Center of Advanced Unmanned Systems executed a strategic attack on their main supply line at Sudzha. As North Korean forces advanced in the Kursk region, they further constrained the Ukrainian position, forcing a retreat while the Ukrainian forces left behind valuable military assets. Nonetheless, Ukrainian drones and artillery continued their offensive against Russian and North Korean troops in the vicinity.
Forbes describes the situation in Kursk as a Pyrrhic victory for the Russians and North Koreans, evidencing tens of thousands of casualties and a loss of hundreds of vehicles, albeit necessitating the Ukrainian withdrawal. Ukrainian losses were considerable but arguably less severe in comparison.
In summary, the Ukrainian 14th Regiment’s strike on North Korean howitzers highlights ongoing military confrontations in Kursk. Despite challenging circumstances and significant losses, Ukrainian forces continue to retaliate with drone and artillery attacks against both Russian and North Korean troops. The situation illustrates the complexities of the conflict and the sustained engagement of military assets from both sides.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
