Andriy Cherniak, who represents Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), said that North Korean troops could potentially join Russian forces in an upcoming assault targeting Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy areas. He further mentioned that following some early setbacks, Kim Jong Un’s armed forces have adjusted their strategies and now pose a greater threat.
Ukrainian officials believe that North Korea, as part of the assistance offered to Russia, dispatched roughly 11,000 troops who were then stationed in the Kursk area. In this conflict zone, these forces likely faced casualties totaling approximately 5,000 personnel, encompassing both fatalities and wounded individuals.
North Koreans changed tactics
Within the leftover contingent, some members continue to battle around Kursk, whereas others focus on training, which reportedly has produced significant outcomes according to Ukrainian sources. There’s an observable shift in their strategy: the North Koreans have shifted towards executing more deliberate strikes with considerably reduced units rather than engaging in rash offensives. As such, they face less exposure to artillery fire and drone attacks, which were responsible for substantial casualties earlier.
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“The North Korean military launched a substantial attack but was swiftly crushed by Ukrainian artillery and drones. As a result, they had to alter their strategy. They now operate either alone or in pairs. However, this shift doesn’t indicate an improvement; rather, it reflects the effective training received by the North Korean troops,” clarified Andriy Cherniak.
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Moreover, North Korean troops have acquired the ability to handle drones independently and have begun employing electronic warfare devices. Additionally, they have become skilled in utilizing equipment and strategies borrowed from the Russians.
The biggest nuisance for North Koreans is drones.
In the offensive in the Kursk region, Ukrainians mainly use FVP (first-person view) drones. These are generally small commercial drones with built-in cameras that provide real-time footage. These unmanned aerial vehicles are modified for military purposes by adding a few pounds of explosives (serving as kamikaze weapons) or grenades or bombs (to drop them on the enemy from above). The most well-known Ukrainian constructions of this type are the “Baba Yaga” drones.
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Andriy Cherniak also noted that Russian forces are considering resuming the offensive in the Ukrainian Sumy and Kharkiv regions. This time, it may be conducted with the support of North Koreans.
“We do not rule out that North Korean soldiers will be involved in these offensive operations,” he said.
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The representative from HUR additionally emphasized that with support from North Korea, Russia may also expect substantial deliveries of ammunition as well as advanced weaponry. According to an investigation conducted by the Reuters agency along with the Open Source Centre (OSC), North Korea has reportedly supplied approximately 5.8 million rounds of ammunition to their ally so far.
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