The question of how many Koksan self-propelled guns and M-1991 multiple launch rocket systems russia has received from the DPRK was answered. 120 units of each have already been delivered, and the same number is likely to be delivered in the near future.
This was announced by the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov in a commentary for The War Zone. At the same time, it is known that these means are used by the russian federation not only in the Kursk region, but also in the occupied part of Ukraine.
Read more: North Korea Expected to Send More Troops to Support russia in Kursk Region
It is noted that the first batch of 240 self-propelled guns and multiple launch rocket systems was transferred within three months. On behalf of Defense Express, we can state that this involves organizing large-scale training for these systems and ensuring a substantial supply of ammunition for them.
In particular, Koksan has a unique caliber in the world - 170 mm. Therefore, ammunition for these guns is produced only in the DPRK. It should also be noted that this 50-caliber self-propelled artillery system is estimated to have a range of up to 40 km with conventional high-explosive fragmentation shells and up to 60 km with rare active-reactive shells. The first such self-propelled guns were spotted on the frontline in early January this year.
The M-1991 MLRS also requires 240-mm rockets and, as declared, high-precision ammunition with an estimated range of up to 60 km. The parameters of this ammunition are unknown, but standard 240-mm unguided North Korean rockets weigh 407 kg and have a warhead of about 90 kg. Each MLRS has 22 launch tubes.
In addition to the self-propelled guns and MLRSs, russian troops are to receive 150 more KN-23 ballistic missiles from the DPRK. For comparison, 148 units were transferred last year. It should be noted that the first use of the KN-23 occurred on January 2, 2024, when it was used to strike Kharkiv.
It is possible that such a pace of KN-23 transfer is related to either the DPRK's production capabilities or the volume contracted by the russian federation under a long-term agreement. At the same time, such deliveries continue despite KN-23's questionable accuracy and reliability. However, the russian federation primarily uses them to target Ukrainian cities indiscriminately, with the aim of killing civilians.
Earlier Defense Express reported that Ukraine's SOF had eliminated 21 North Korean soldiers in eight-hour fierce battle in the Kursk region.
Read more: High Casualty Rates Among North Korean Troops, All the Continent May Be Killed or Wounded by Mid-April 2025
