Ukrainian Soldiers’ Insights on North Korean Forces in Combat

Ukrainian troops have encountered North Korean soldiers, noting their competence but questioning their role as cannon fodder due to heavy casualties. Despite high training levels, North Koreans employ outdated tactics, often resulting in significant losses. Communication issues between them and Russian forces impair strategic operations. The potential for improvement exists if they receive adequate training and support moving forward.

Ukrainian soldiers have reported engaging with North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in resent battles. Despite their effective shooting and movement skills, these soldiers are perceived as “cannon fodder,” facing heavy casualties. In December 2024, the 1st Battalion of the 8th Ukrainian Special Forces Regiment was tasked with capturing North Korean soldiers in order to provide evidence of their involvement in the war and counter Kremlin propaganda.

Since October 2024, over 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in the Kursk region, known for its high casualty figures that led to some withdrawal of Kim Jong-Un’s forces. Although there were initial absences of North Koreans at the front, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed their return, supported by combat images published by the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that 8,000 North Korean soldiers remain in Russia, many of whom are highly trained and younger compared to Russian and Ukrainian forces. Soldiers noted their superior skills, contrasting a North Korean soldier’s ability to swiftly carry a wounded comrade on his shoulders to the more coordinated method usually employed by Western militaries.

Ukrainian officers remarked on the North Korean troops’ tactics, which appear antiquated and involve mass assaults without strategic retreat. Despite being motivated and ideologically driven, their lack of modern warfare understanding poses challenges on the battlefield. Communication issues between North Korean and Russian forces have hindered collaboration and operational effectiveness, which was particularly evident when North Koreans struggled with basic coordination during recent combat operations.

In light of their training, North Korean soldiers’ devotion to their regime is noted, with some demonstrating extreme behaviors such as suicide bombings to evade capture. The presence of documents like military IDs and diaries recovered from the battlefield highlight their fervent ideology, with one diary entry revealing a soldier’s intent to sacrifice for his homeland. Reports also indicate their rudimentary communication capabilities, heavily reliant on basic devices compared to the technologically advanced Ukrainian military.

Despite concerns over their tactical efficiency, soldiers have acknowledged the potential for North Korean troops to become a more formidable force, contingent on improved training and resource allocation from Russian forces. Accounts from the battlefield liken encounters with North Korean troops to past experiences with Russian mercenaries, depicting desperate head-on assaults that leave substantial casualties in their wake, highlighting the ongoing complexity of the conflict in that region.

Ukrainian soldiers have shown that North Korean troops, while effective in some combat skills, display tactical shortcomings by advancing recklessly without proper support or retreat strategies. They are perceived as ideologically driven yet inadequately trained for modern warfare. As they adapt to the battlefield environment and receive further training, they could pose an increasing threat. The challenges of communication and operational coordination between North Korean and Russian forces further complicate their efficacy in combat.

Original Source: english.elpais.com