North Korean rocket launchers join Russian arsenal in Kursk
A recording has surfaced online proving that the Russians have started receiving another type of weaponry from North Korea. This time, they are rocket launchers, disguised as civilian trucks, primarily known from military parades in Pyongyang.
The recording was published by the Russians. The equipment shown is most likely located somewhere in the Kursk region or will soon be sent there. David Axe, writing for Forbes, reminds us that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russians against Ukrainians in this region.
Disguised launchers from North Korea for Russia
The analyst also notes that the North Korean equipment delivered to Russia has already been showcased to the world. It was featured during military parades in Pyongyang in 2023 and 2024.
Kim Jong Un's army proudly displayed various types of equipment, some of which were met with derision. On social media, tractors and civilian trucks and dump trucks with hidden rocket launchers were widely commented upon.
New Russian equipment may be of little use
David Axe believes that such weapons may not have much significance in the battle for the Kursk region. It is most likely a rocket launcher based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad, which the Russians frequently use in this war. Fire is therefore conducted using 4.8-inch caliber shells.
However, as the American military explained in its analyses, such strong camouflage of the entire system means it has less accuracy than typical artillery and cannot be used in situations that require high precision.
A problem for operators of this type of equipment could also be the fact that in the Kursk region, Ukrainians have a significant amount of artillery, and especially drones, which effectively counter Russian and North Korean attacks. Drones are even dealing with Russian tanks, and an unarmored truck is a much easier target.
"The Ukrainians have rarely hesitated to blow up civilian-style vehicles they locate near the front line. They’ll surely hesitate even less now that they know the North Koreans are stashing rockets in box trucks," David Axe concludes.
