UKRAINE: Ukrainian forces have destroyed a rare North Korean self-propelled howitzer on the eastern front, the military said on Tuesday, February 18. This is the first time Ukraine has hit a North Korean М-1978 Koksan howitzer since the war with Russia began nearly three years ago.

According to Ukraine's Khortytsia military group, fighters from the 412th separate regiment used a drone to strike the artillery vehicle in Luhansk. The statement, shared on Telegram, included a video showing the explosion. The report also mentioned that this type of North Korean artillery was first spotted in the war in October 2024. However, Reuters could not independently verify the claim.

North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with around 200 long-range artillery pieces and a large supply of ammunition, according to South Korea’s defense ministry. This information was shared during a recent parliamentary meeting.

Luhansk, mostly under Russian control, is one of the four regions that Russia claimed as its own in 2022. Ukraine and its allies have not recognized this annexation.

Military experts say up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region to support Russian forces. There have also been reports of North Korean military equipment being used in the war. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia might send up to 3,000 more North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region, where Ukraine has managed to hold some territory despite Russian control.

Additionally, North Korean security agents are reportedly monitoring their troops in Kursk, telling them that South Korean drones are attacking them. This claim was based on an interview with two North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine, as reported by South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo on Wednesday.

Latest War Updates (February 19):

Russian Attacks: Russia launched 167 drones and two missiles overnight. Ukraine’s air force shot down 106 drones, while 56 others did not reach their targets.

Odesa Power Outage: Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in Odesa left 160,000 residents without heating and electricity.

Ukraine’s Drone Attacks: Russia said its air defenses destroyed 21 Ukrainian drones overnight, mostly in the Bryansk region. Another drone was shot down over Crimea.

Battlefield Clashes: Ukrainian troops engaged in 144 clashes with Russian forces on Tuesday, repelling multiple attacks on different fronts, according to Anadolu News Agency.

North Korean Prisoners: South Korea’s foreign ministry said it would provide protection and support to any North Korean prisoners of war captured by Ukraine if they wish to go to South Korea.