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The first confirmed combat use of North Korea’s 240-mm M1991 multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS) by Russian forces has been documented near the frontlines in Ukraine. This follows earlier sightings of North Korean 170-mm M1989 Koksan artillery guns, indicating a growing reliance on Pyongyang’s heavy firepower to bolster Russia’s offensive capabilities.
Recent footage shows Russian troops installing anti-drone cages on the M1991, a clear adaptation to the evolving battlefield where FPV drones dominate. Unlike previous leaks, this video appears to have been deliberately released as part of a broader propaganda effort—especially after Moscow’s recent acknowledgment of North Korean troops fighting in Kursk region. LINK
Developed in the 1980s as a counterpart to the Soviet BM-27 Uragan, the M1991 fires 5.2-meter rockets weighing 400 kg, each carrying a 90-kg warhead. A single launcher can unleash 22 rockets in under a minute, saturating targets 40-60 km away (with reports suggesting newer variants may reach 80 km). The system is compatible with thermobaric, cluster, and high-explosive munitions, making it a dangerous addition to Russia’s arsenal.
Their deployment suggests Moscow is using North Korean stockpiles to offset domestic production shortages while preserving more advanced Russian-made systems for critical operations. While the M1991 is older and less precise than modern Russian MLRS like the Tornado-S, its sheer volume of fire compensates for its technological limitations. Given North Korea’s vast stockpiles, these systems could soon become a common sight across the front, further internationalizing the conflict’s arms supply chain.
