North Korean artillery spotted in Crimea, media suggest possible troop deployment

On March 26, a video was posted online showing several North Korean heavy artillery pieces Koksan being transported by rail to the northern part of Crimea.

These 170-mm guns played an important role in the Russian offensive in the Kursk region due to their long range. According to ZDF, Ukraine was able to destroy five Koksan guns with the help of drones, but it is known that the DPRK has transferred 200 such units to Russia.

So far, North Korean troops have participated in hostilities only in the Kursk region. But the authors suggest that this may change.

“However, the documented presence of the Koksan artillery systems on Ukrainian territory is a harbinger of a politically significant escalation, i.e., a likely rapid combat deployment of North Korean ground forces in Ukraine,” the article says.

The Koksan guns have a range of up to 40 kilometers, but when using rocket shells, they can fire up to 60 kilometers. The journalists suggest that if the Russians were to deploy North Korean guns in southern Ukraine, it could pose a threat to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

DPRK's participation in the war against Ukraine

Last fall, North Korea sent troops to Russia. According to Ukrainian intelligence, it was about 10-12 thousand troops.

The North Korean forces are taking part in battles in the Kursk region. Due to the losses, DPRK troops were temporarily withdrawn from the front line, but later the Russians sent the DPRK troops back to the front.

According to media reports, North Korea is receiving technical assistance from Moscow to develop several types of drones in exchange for sending soldiers.

According to the South Korean military, in January and February, the DPRK sent about 3,000 more soldiers to Russia.