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​Defense Express’ Weekly Review: North Korean Personnel and Equipment, 339 russian Artillery Rocket Systems and American AIM-9X Block II Missile

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Ukrainian forces eliminate reinforced russian infantry platoon and equipment in Kharkiv region / screenshot from video
Ukrainian forces eliminate reinforced russian infantry platoon and equipment in Kharkiv region / screenshot from video

Digest of Defense Express on the main events of the week

Since the russians Have Started Training on North Korean Howitzers, Let’s Review What We Know About DPRK Artillery

The Atesh group reports that the Armed Forces of russia have begun training their personnel to operate self-propelled artillery systems recently delivered from North Korea. The primary training site is newly re-established Higher Artillery Command School (VAKU) in Saratov.

North Korean M-1985 self-propelled artillery systems Defense Express Defense Express’ Weekly Review: North Korean Personnel and Equipment, 339 russian Artillery Rocket Systems and American AIM-9X Block II Missile
North Korean M-1985 self-propelled artillery systems / open source

Ukrainian Forces Eliminate Reinforced russian Infantry Platoon and Equipment in Kharkiv Region (Video)

In Kharkiv region, the enemy attempted an assault, advancing in small groups toward Ukrainian positions. However, the attack was thwarted by the soldiers of the 3rd Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine resulting in the failure of russian assault.

Read more: 970 Days of russia-Ukraine War – russian Casualties in Ukraine

18 North Korean Citizens Escape from russian Positions Near the Ukrainian Border

The fate of these North Korean personnel remains unknown, as the russians appear to be concealing the incident. This information was reported by Ukrainian media, citing a source from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

North Korean personnel Defense Express Defense Express’ Weekly Review: North Korean Personnel and Equipment, 339 russian Artillery Rocket Systems and American AIM-9X Block II Missile
North Korean personnel / Photo credit: Korean Central News Agency

OSINT Analysts Identified 339 Artillery Rocket Systems Left in russian Storage, But Let’s Add Some Clarification

The OSINT research team from Covert Cabal and Jompy recently released a video detailing their calculations on the number of multiple launch rocket systems still in russian military storage.

Their findings are noteworthy, indicating that russia has only 339 rocket launchers remaining in long-term storage. Specifically, they identified 171 BM-27 Uragan systems, 116 BM-21 Grad systems, and just two Smerch systems.

The BM-27 Uragan rocket artillery system Defense Express Defense Express’ Weekly Review: North Korean Personnel and Equipment, 339 russian Artillery Rocket Systems and American AIM-9X Block II Missile
The BM-27 Uragan rocket artillery system / open source

Is It Realistic for russian Su-34 Aircraft to Have Been Shot Down by the AIM-9X Block II Missile?

On Thursday, October 10, the russian Aerospace Forces reportedly lost the Su-34 tactical bomber, according to Fighterbomber. Neither russian nor Ukrainian officials have commented on this alleged incident.

Shortly after, several russian sources claimed that the Su-34 aircraft was shot down by Ukrainian F-16 multirole fighter jet. Before any credible details or official statements could confirm or refute the information, the news had already spread widely through the media.

The AIM-9X Block II missile Defense Express Defense Express’ Weekly Review: North Korean Personnel and Equipment, 339 russian Artillery Rocket Systems and American AIM-9X Block II Missile
The AIM-9X Block II missile / Photo credit The Center Air Command
Read more: ​969 Days of russia-Ukraine War – russian Casualties In Ukraine