The Destruction of a North Korean Missile Launcher by a Ukrainian Drone
In a dramatic and shocking moment, a North Korean missile launcher was completely destroyed by an Ukrainian drone while its crew was still inside. This incident highlights the growing involvement of North Korea in the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the increasing use of advanced drone technology by the Ukrainian military.
The footage, released by the Ukrainian military, shows a projectile tearing through a 240mm calibre multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) known as the M1991. The event took place in the village of Novopavlivka. This is the first time that such a rare North Korean weapon has been seen on the battlefield, according to the Command of the Unmanned Systems Forces.
The unit responsible for the operation, the 413th Battalion "Raid" Forces of Unmanned Systems, stated that they had detected and destroyed the M1991, which was manufactured by North Korea. They emphasized that this was the first time they had encountered such levels of North Korean assistance on the battlefield. The incident occurred in April this year, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
In the video, the drone can be seen approaching the MLRS, which has a range of up to 60 kilometers. The precision strike was carried out in the village, approximately 35 miles away from the city of Zaporizhzhia. The impact caused the warhead to completely rip through the crew compartment, where two soldiers appeared to jump out of the window after somehow escaping the blast.
The Command of the Unmanned Systems Forces also mentioned that they destroyed 'the entire ammunition' following the strike. It is believed that the Russian military had sought to use the M1991 as it was an improvement over its own Uragan 220mm MLRS. This comes as Vladimir Putin continues his invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea has shown strong support for the Russian President by providing ballistic missiles, 120 long-range artillery systems, and 120 MLRSs to the Kremlin. These figures were announced by Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and represent the most significant direct military package handed to Russia by any country since the war began.
In addition to military support, Russia and North Korea have taken steps to strengthen their political and economic ties. In May, it was reported that the two countries had begun building their first road link. The construction of a bridge over a border river was hailed as a major development that will further expand their relations.
The kilometre-long Tumangang Road bridge, expected to take 18 months to construct, aims to expand cross-border travel of people, tourism, and the circulation of commodities. Russian and North Korean news agencies reported on the project, highlighting its significance for bilateral cooperation.
Before the announcement, both countries held ceremonies for the bridge's construction in their respective border cities of Tumangang and Khasan on either side of the Tumen River. North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song described the bridge's construction as 'a historic monument' in bilateral ties, while Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called it a 'big milestone for Russian-Korean relations.'
This development came days after Pyongyang confirmed it had sent combat troops to Russia to help reclaim parts of the Kursk region that Ukrainian forces had seized in a previous incursion. Putin thanked North Korea and promised not to forget the sacrifices of its soldiers for Russia.
According to a South Korean government intelligence assessment, North Korea had sent about 15,000 troops to Russia, with 4,700 of them killed or wounded at that time. State media in North Korea claimed that its fighters had made an 'important contribution' to Russia's war effort by driving Ukrainians out of Russian territory.
North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un praised the soldiers, stating: 'They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland.' This statement reflects the strong alliance between North Korea and Russia, as well as the significant role that North Korea has played in supporting Russia's military efforts in Ukraine.
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