Ukraine has destroyed a North Korean multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) in occupied territories, says Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi. Many other valuable systems have also been struck, including a Russian S‑300V air defense system launcher.
Ukrainian drones finished North Korean M‑1991 MLRS
The destroyed system was a North Korean M‑1991 MLRS (240 mm), an analogue of the Soviet BM‑27 Uragan. The elimination of the M‑1991 further underscores that the war in Ukraine has long exceeded the bounds of a regional conflict.
Developed in the late 1980s, the M‑1991 carries 22 rockets, is mounted on a Chinese CQ25290 chassis, and operated by a four‑person crew. Each rocket is approximately 5.2 meters long and, in upgraded versions, has a reported range of up to 80 km.
Its destruction confirms that Russia is not only receiving ammunition from North Korea, but is actively deploying North Korean weapons systems on the battlefield. The first visual confirmation of Russian use of the M‑1991 appeared in April 2025.
Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has intensified since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. Pyongyang has become a key supporter of Moscow’s war effort, supplying millions of artillery shells and even troops, reportedly in exchange for advanced military technologies.
Strike on S‑300V system in Luhansk Oblast weakens Russian air defense
The Ukrainian military has also destroyed a 9A84 self-propelled launcher-loader vehicle of the S‑300V air defense system in the Luhansk Oblast. The region is a part of Donbas, alongside Donetsk Oblast, and is not fully occupied by the Russian forces.
The 9A84 is a critical component of Russia’s army-level air defense, protecting troops and key facilities. Its loss weakens Russia’s air defense “umbrella” in the Luhansk direction, opening opportunities for further Ukrainian UAV and missile strikes.
Paralysis of the Mariupol–Donetsk railway hub
Several strategically vital energy facilities were hit:
- Sartana Traction Substation (Mariupol, occupied territory): supplies electric locomotives on the Mariupol–Sartana–Volnovakha–Donetsk line; 2,500 kVA transformer
- Karan Traction Substation (Andriivka, Donetsk region, occupied territory): supports the Mariupol–Volnovakha–Komysh‑Zoria railway line; two transformers rated at 2,500–4,000 kVA
- Azovska 220 kV Substation (Staryi Krym, Donetsk region, occupied territory): a key energy hub for regional industry
Damage to these facilities directly affects frontline supply chains in southern and eastern Ukraine, including ammunition, fuel, and heavy equipment.
UAV depots destroyed, reducing Russia's drone capability
Ukrainian strikes also hit:
- A UAV storage facility of Russia’s 144th Division, 51st Army (Novokrasnianka, occupied territory)
- Another drone depot in Donetsk (occupied territory)
These attacks significantly reduce Russia’s ability to deploy reconnaissance and strike drones on the battlefield.
Coordinated "middle-strike" operations define a new model of warfare
According to Robert Brovdi, the strikes were carried out using middle‑range strike capabilities by units of:
- Birds of the 1st Separate Unmanned Systems Center
- Kairos Battalion, 414th Brigade Birds of Madyar
- 412th Nemesis Brigade, in coordination with the newly established Deep Strike Center.
This campaign reduces Russia’s offensive potential, disrupts logistics, and shifts the balance of power without large-scale frontal assaults, reflecting a key feature of modern attritional warfare.
