North Korean troops adapt tactics in support of Russia
According to the Unian agency, Kim Jong Un's soldiers are still fighting in the Kursk region. Ukrainian commanders confirm that a noticeable change in tactics is evident among the North Koreans, showing their adaptation to the realities of modern warfare.
As part of the support Pyongyang provides to Moscow, approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly already arrived in the Kursk region, facing significant losses. Late in January, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), General Kyrylo Budanov, stated that about one-third of the North Korean soldiers sent to assist Russia had already been killed. This was mainly due to the widespread use of drones by Ukrainians, which caught the Koreans unprepared.
North Koreans have changed their tactics
Since mid-January, North Korean soldiers have been significantly less active, but at the beginning of February, they resumed attacking with larger forces. Stanislav Krasnow, the platoon commander of the 95th separate airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, said in an interview with the Unian agency that Kim Jong Un's soldiers have changed their tactics and are now moving in smaller groups.
"They have already had very painful experiences and are adapting to the realities of modern warfare, particularly by hiding from attacks by our drones, our artillery, and by dispersing," Stanislav Krasnow explained.
Ukrainians utilize not only larger drones specially prepared for the army but also small FPV (first person view) drones, which are unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with a camera providing live real-time footage. These are usually small commercial drones modified for warfare by attaching explosive charges, grenades, or bombs to them.
Russia's biggest ally
According to Stanislav Krasnow, the change in tactics may help the North Koreans, but it will certainly not prevent them from incurring losses. According to the Ukrainian commander, they still often engage in chaotic actions.
It has been repeatedly pointed out that a significant problem for Kim Jong Un's soldiers is the coordination of their actions with the Russians. On the other hand, they have surprised with better equipment than what is typically possessed by Russian soldiers. Some of those captured even had an AK-12 automatic rifle and a Vepr-12 semi-automatic shotgun, which most likely serves as a weapon for fighting drones.
Sources from South Korea report that Pyongyang's support for Moscow included, apart from soldiers, over 200 pieces of long-range artillery and a very large amount of ammunition. Ukraine is also attacked by North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
