North Korean troops trained by Russia to operate combat drones
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, confirmed that North Korean soldiers sent to the Kursk region are being trained by Russians to operate reconnaissance and attack drones.
"The Russians are training military personnel and officers of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in modern warfare techniques to be used in combat. DPRK soldiers are being trained in Russian military uniforms and embedded in Russian Kursk region units. They are being instructed on FPV and reconnaissance drones, as well as the principles of using Lancets," Kovalenko wrote on his Telegram profile.
This is how the Russians are teaching the Koreans
According to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Russia intends to go a step further by sending its instructors to North Korea to train local soldiers in drone operation on-site.
Drones have become emblematic of the war in Ukraine and are extensively used by both sides. Often, these are small FPV (first-person view) drones functioning similarly to kamikaze weapons. They typically have built-in cameras providing live, real-time views up until the moment of impact. Many are commercial drones modified for combat by adding explosives. Such equipment can also be reused if it's employed to drop grenades or bombs on a target instead of hitting it directly. Even tanks in Ukraine are destroyed in this manner, as confirmed by footage from the front.
The Lancet is a drone specifically designed for military purposes. While it can conduct observation and reconnaissance missions, in practice, this Russian drone is most often used to destroy Ukrainian positions and equipment. It is a drone with a length of about 1.5 metres and a maximum takeoff weight of 12 kilograms. It can carry an explosive payload of up to about 3 kilograms and move at speeds up to 113 km/h.
Russia's biggest ally
During an interview with the South Korean station KBS, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, confirmed that the first clashes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean soldiers have already taken place. Umerov suggested that this indicates North Korea's formal involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian minister explained that North Korean soldiers are being integrated into various units within the enemy's command system and may be mistakenly identified as Buryats. Therefore, before Ukraine releases exact figures on casualties and captives, it is necessary to verify their identities.
Sending soldiers to Russia is further evidence that North Korea is currently Russia's biggest ally. It has been supporting this country since the beginning of the war in Ukraine by sending large quantities of artillery ammunition, including calibres of 122 mm and 152 mm, and even ballistic missiles like the KN‑23, which resemble Russian Iskanders and can attack targets up to about 595 kilometres away.
