The American newspaper The New York Timeswhich quotes a senior United States Defense official, assures that North Korea is preparing to send a new consignment of troops to reinforce “within a maximum period of two months” the Russian ranks in the war in Ukraine. Currently, nearly 12,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting in the Kursk region, operating as a virtually independent military force, using their own tactics and, also, an alarming human casualty rate.
Since arriving in Kursk in December, about a third of North Korean troops have been killed or woundedaccording to data provided by Ukraine and the United States. Before sending soldiers to the front, Pyongyang had already supported Moscow’s war by also sending a significant amount of weapons: millions of artillery projectiles and more than 100 short-range ballistic missiles, which now represent almost half of Russia’s daily ammunition.
Ukrainian soldiers have described the combat methods used by North Korean soldiers as “unusual”, advancing across the battlefield without armor support and launching attacks in waves of more than 40 troops. According to the TimesThese troops usually operate in assigned areas separate from Russian units, although the lack of communication between both sides has led to direct confrontations on at least two occasions.
A commander of the Ukrainian army, identified as Oleksii, has confessed to the American media that the North Korean attacks seem suicidal: “It seems that they have come here to die, and they themselves know it.” Ukrainian military intelligence, for its part, has indicated that among the North Korean forces deployed in Kursk there are about 500 officers and at least three generals. According to American sources, these senior officers work from Russian command and control headquarters.
The impact of North Korean tactics has forced Ukrainian forces to adapt. Drone operators now focus on groups rather than individuals, and antipersonnel mines are placed closer together, from 15 meters to 5 meters, to counter the dense formations of attack waves.
Oleksii admits that facing two of the largest armies in the world is pushing Ukrainian troops “to the limit.” According to him, the North Koreans are pushing the front lines and directing their efforts towards the least defended areas, wearing down kyiv’s troops.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warned that if the current casualty rate continues, the 12,000 North Korean troops in Kursk could be completely gone by April. Meanwhile, Moscow is preparing to receive the new human reinforcement, despite growing internal tensions between its own allies on the battlefield.
