Additional Coverage:
- Ukrainian commander says North Korean soldiers charged his unit ‘like in a World War II movie’ during combat (newsbreak.com)
Local Ukrainian Commander Details Fighting North Korean Troops
A Ukrainian commander has described his experience fighting North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region. He depicted them as ill-prepared and used as “cannon fodder” by the Russians.
Commander Konoval Ihor Ihorovych of the 33rd Assault Regiment recounted a January operation to take the Kursk settlement of Makhnovka. He described witnessing confusing North Korean troop movements.
Ihorovych stated that North Korean soldiers were observed running between buildings under Ukrainian artillery fire. He questioned their tactical understanding and leadership.
The commander contrasted the current conflict with North Korean training, suggesting they were unprepared for modern warfare. He described their attacks as reminiscent of World War II, with soldiers charging forward and suffering heavy casualties.
Ihorovych claimed his unit emerged from the operation without losses, while several North Koreans were killed. He believes the North Koreans were used as expendable troops.
His account aligns with previous assessments that North Korean troops employed ineffective human-wave tactics. These tactics reportedly led to significant North Korean casualties.
While some have described North Korean soldiers as disciplined and competent, they appear unprepared for the realities of modern warfare. Reports suggest heavy North Korean losses are impacting their combat effectiveness. Some analysts even predict the deployed North Korean force could be entirely lost within weeks.
The increasing defense ties between Russia and North Korea have been noted, including a pact for mutual military assistance. North Korea has also provided Russia with artillery shells and missiles.