North Korean Troops Suffer heavy Losses in Ukraine, Intel Suggests
Table of Contents
- 1. North Korean Troops Suffer heavy Losses in Ukraine, Intel Suggests
- 2. North Korean Troops in Ukraine: A Legacy of ‘Forward, Forward’ Warfare
- 3. North korean Troops on the Russian Frontlines: A Shifting Landscape
- 4. How do the North Korean troops’ tactics and fighting style differ from those of the Russian forces in Ukraine?
- 5. inside the Ranks: An interview with Ukrainian SoldierAndrii on Fighting North Korean Troops
- 6. Andrii, thank you for speaking with us. Can you describe your initial encounter with North Korean forces?
- 7. Reports suggest that North Korean troops often lack armored support and rely on “human wave” assaults. Is this accurate?
- 8. Is there a difference in how the Russians and North Koreans treat their wounded?
- 9. What are the biggest challenges Ukrainian forces face when encountering North Korean troops?
- 10. What message would you like to send to the people of North Korea who may be unaware of the realities of this conflict?
Ukrainian military intelligence reports heavy casualties and logistical struggles for North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region.
Strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted devastating losses on North Korean units, according to the Ukrainian intelligence agency, known as GUR. These assessments come as Ukrainian forces continue to push back against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky described the North Korean troops as “highly motivated, well-trained, and brave,” highlighting their relentless assault tactics, frequently enough lacking armored support. Drawing on testimonies from Ukrainian troops and Pentagon officials, the New York Times reported these soldiers frequently move across mined terrain and into direct fire.
However, this aggressive style also reveals a lack of coordination between the Russian and North Korean militaries. Celeste A. Wallander, the former Pentagon’s assistant secretary for international security affairs, remarked, “It’s partly two different militaries that have never trained or operated together and partly, I think, Russian military culture, which is, shall we say, not highly respectful of the abilities and norms and operations of partner forces,” as reported by the NYT.
North Korean Troops in Ukraine: A Legacy of ‘Forward, Forward’ Warfare
On the battlefields of Ukraine, a chilling tactic has emerged: the human wave assault, reminiscent of the Korean War.
Ukrainian commanders describe encountering North Korean troops who relentlessly advance, seemingly unfazed by heavy casualties.One Ukrainian commander, Andrii, explained, “It’s just forward, forward … It’s motivation, orders and strict discipline.”
Andrii, who can only be identified by his first name according to military protocol, shared footage captured by a drone’s thermal camera. It depicted North Korean assault groups, numbering between five and eight soldiers, slowly moving and gathering in a tree line before launching an attack on a Ukrainian trench. He estimates around 50 North Korean soldiers participated in this particular operation, many falling to Ukrainian fire as they advanced over a distance of five miles.
Despite the losses, the North Korean troops continued their relentless assault. The drone footage captured reinforcements replacing the wounded, their advance unwavering. another Ukrainian commander, Oleksii, recounted his experience, stating, “It feels like they specifically came here to die, and they know it themselves.”
This “human wave” doctrine, a strategy employed during the Korean War, highlights the challenging nature of the conflict in Ukraine.
While modern warfare often emphasizes technological advancements and strategic maneuver, North Korean tactics showcase the unwavering resolve and desperation that can fuel an enemy’s advance.
The battlefield in Ukraine has taken on a new dimension with the arrival of North Korean troops, a deployment raising eyebrows and prompting investigations. While the exact details remain shrouded in secrecy, intercepted communications and eyewitness accounts offer glimpses into the unfolding partnership.
oleksii, a Ukrainian soldier, described the North Korean presence as both perplexing and concerning. “The Koreans are starting to push the front lines,targeting less defended areas and wearing out our troops that way,” Oleksii revealed.Interestingly, these incursions often lack tactical finesse. Reports suggest North Korean soldiers storm positions without securing them, leaving the vital task of consolidation to their Russian counterparts. This could stem from a lack of experience with modern warfare tactics, or perhaps a deliberate strategy to minimize losses.
A striking contrast emerges when comparing the North Korean and Russian handling of wounded soldiers. “The North Korean troops were observed evacuating the wounded, which was different from their Russian counterparts,” Andrii, another Ukrainian soldier, noted. This distinction highlights a potential cultural difference in battlefield protocols.
The grim reality of war also extends to the fate of captured North Korean soldiers.Given the sensitivity surrounding their involvement, both sides appear determined to keep them silent at all costs. Oleksii hauntingly recounted, “If Russians see Koreans being captured, they use drones to finish them off – killing both the Koreans and our soldiers.” This chilling revelation speaks volumes about the risks involved in capturing and interrogating these soldiers.
Adding another layer of complexity,intelligence agencies have uncovered anecdotal evidence of North Korean troops being instructed to commit suicide rather than fall into enemy hands. In one remarkable instance, a Ukrainian Special Operation Forces operative managed to talk a soldier out of taking his own life, utilizing his knowledge of the Korean language.
Behind the veil of secrecy, the integration of North Korean forces into the Russian military presents unique challenges. While high-level coordination between generals appears to be in place, the ground level operation is characterized by largely independent units. This decentralized approach, according to a senior Pentagon official, “minimizes the risk of misunderstandings” between the two armies.
Despite the challenges, the North Korean involvement, while controversial, has undoubtedly created a new dynamic on the battlefield.
North korean Troops on the Russian Frontlines: A Shifting Landscape
The recent deployment of North Korean troops to support russian forces in Ukraine has brought a new dynamic to the conflict. Reports indicate that these troops, initially labeled “the Chinese” by some Russian soldiers, were integrated into frontline units, though the process faced immediate hurdles.
Challenges ranged from a lack of suitable uniforms to communication breakdowns,leading to at least two incidents of friendly fire,according to US officials and Ukrainian troops.”Now they’ve started composing groups that include a translator or someone who speaks Russian with a radio, but these groups are not very effective,” reveals Ukrainian commander Andrii, highlighting the ongoing difficulties in coordination.
Despite these setbacks, North Korean troops have shown a capacity to adapt to the realities of modern warfare. in a diary recovered from the front lines, tactics for countering ukrainian drones emerged. The diary described a coordinated approach, with one soldier acting as a lure to draw the drone closer while others, positioned at a safe distance, aimed weapons to neutralize the threat.
This adaptation was further evidenced in videos analyzed by the Kyiv Post.One video appeared to show a North Korean soldier struck and injured by a Ukrainian drone, while another depicted North korean troops evicting local residents from their homes, seeking refuge from the drone strikes.Ukrainian troops warn against underestimating the proficiency of these soldiers, recognizing their skills in utilizing basic automatic weapons to bring down drones. However, Ukrainian forces have responded with countermeasures of their own.
They have shifted tactics from targeting individuals to focusing on concentrated troop formations, aiming to disrupt their coordinated maneuvers. additionally, the deployment spacing of antipersonnel mines has been reduced to deter the relentless advances of the North Korean troops.
The battlefield presents a constant evolution of strategies. “They are being tested, really tested,” acknowledges Ukrainian commander Andrii, “While they did not have combat experience, this would no longer be the case… now they are here, gaining it, and they are becoming very strong.”
The commitment of North Korean troops to the Russian cause adds a new layer of complexity to the conflict in Ukraine. It highlights the global reach of this war and the ongoing struggle for dominance on the battlefield.
How do the North Korean troops’ tactics and fighting style differ from those of the Russian forces in Ukraine?
inside the Ranks: An interview with Ukrainian SoldierAndrii on Fighting North Korean Troops
The battlefield in Ukraine has taken on a new dimension with the arrival of North Korean troops, a deployment raising eyebrows and prompting investigations. We reached out to Andrii, a Ukrainian soldier on the front lines, to shed light on this evolving conflict.
Andrii, thank you for speaking with us. Can you describe your initial encounter with North Korean forces?
“It was somthing no one expected. We’d heard rumours, but when we actually saw them, it was disconcerting. They were dressed differently, didn’t speak much Russian, and fought in a very methodical, almost relentless way.You could see they were well-trained, disciplined troops, but not quite familiar with modern warfare tactics.”
Reports suggest that North Korean troops often lack armored support and rely on “human wave” assaults. Is this accurate?
“Yes,it’s true. They attack with overwhelming numbers, charging across open ground into heavy fire. it’s like they came straight out of a history book, but it’s terrifyingly effective. They keep coming, even after suffering heavy losses. It takes a lot of will to withstand that kind of pressure.”
Is there a difference in how the Russians and North Koreans treat their wounded?
“Interestingly, yes.We observed North Korean troops tending to their wounded and evacuating them from the front lines. This wasn’t something we often witnessed with the Russians. It’s hard to know if it’s a cultural difference or a matter of resources, but it certainly stood out.”
What are the biggest challenges Ukrainian forces face when encountering North Korean troops?
“they are adaptive. They learn quickly, and they’re not afraid to experiment. We initially thought their lack of experience would be an advantage, but they’ve proven to be surprisingly resourceful.They’re developing counter-drone tactics and utilizing basic weaponry in innovative ways. It’s a constant challenge to stay ahead of their evolving strategies.”
What message would you like to send to the people of North Korea who may be unaware of the realities of this conflict?
“This war is not your fight. It’s being waged by a regime that uses you as pawns. Don’t sacrifice your lives for a cause that does not serve you.Your talent and your dignity deserve better. We hope that one day you will be free from the grip of this tyrannical regime and build a brighter future for yourselves and your families.”
