North Korea is poised to send Vladimir Putin’s troops over 100 extra long-range weapons to unleash on Ukrainian forces, a top general has revealed.
The Hermit State’s 170mm M1989 Koksan howitzers, dubbed “juche cannons”, are among the longest-range artillery systems in the world.
They were originally built for the southeast Asian dictatorship to hammer neighbouring South Korea with in the event of a war.
Now, more are set to be deployed on the battlefield in Ukraine as Moscow’s brutal war rages on.
According to Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, North Korea is preparing to double the number of artillery systems it has sent to the border region of Kursk.
The M1989 has been in service since 1989 and has been used by the North Korean military, as well as some Iranian soldiers.
According to the military specialist website Army Recognition, the weapon’s range and firepower make it “ideal for counter-battery operations and strategic bombardment.”
This means it can engage in artillery fire exchanges at a safe distance and can hit critical infrastructure targets from miles away.
It offers additional assistance to ground troops thanks to its rear-line fire support and long-range bombardment.
The 40-ton self-propelled gun weapon was first spotted during a military parade and earned the nickname “juche” – a term used by Pyongyang’s state propaganda machine to describe its ideology of freedom and self-reliance.
According to Lt Gen Budanov, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has already sent Putin at least 120 M1989 Koksans over the last three months.
The dictator has also sent Moscow 120 M1991 multiple-launch rocket systems, the general claimed.
It comes amid an extraordinary revelation that the 10,000-plus soldiers sent to help Putin’s men have been temporarily pulled back from the frontline after suffering heavy losses, including a colonel.
A Ukrainian special forces commander, who goes by the codename “Puls”, said Kim’s men were likely to be learning lessons from mistakes made during their first bloody clashes with Ukrainian soldiers.
He said the retreat was probably to tens to their wounded or waiting for reinforcements.
“I think they’ll be back soon,” the commander said, speaking at a secret base in northeastern Ukraine.
However, South Korean joint chiefs of staff said on Friday that the North was gearing up to send an additional dispatch of troops to the frontline.
US officials told The New York Times the reinforcements could arrive in Ukraine within two months.
