North Korea is preparing to send Russia more than 100 artillery systems – originally designed to flatten Seoul – to be used in its war against Ukraine.

The 170mm M1989 Koksan howitzers, among the longest-range artillery systems in the world, are known as “juche cannons”, and were built to pound the South Korean capital in the event of a conflict.

Kyrylo Budano, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, said that Pyongyang was gearing up to double the number of artillery systems it has sent to the border region of Kursk.