Ukrainian Officer Describes North Korean Troops' WWII Style Charge During Battle

A Ukrainian military leader recounted the combat experience against North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region of Russia, describing them as inadequately prepared for modern warfare and used by the Russians as mere expendables.

Konoval Ihor Ihorovych, leading the reserve unit of the 4th Company in the 33rd Assault Regiment, found North Korean battle tactics bewildering and reflective of older combat styles.

As autumn arrived, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops were positioned in western Russia's Kursk region to support Moscow in reclaiming land taken by Ukrainian forces in an aggressive summer offensive.

Operation in Kursk

Using the alias Sahara, Ihorovych participated in an early January mission to secure the small village of Makhnovka, aiming to fortify strategic areas and await additional support.

During one encounter, his troops observed North Koreans erratically moving between structures under heavy artillery bombardment, unable to comprehend their actions.

The commander speculated the apparent lack of direction was due to either absent leadership or sheer confusion, a notion even Ukrainian soldiers from neighboring units found baffling.

Outdated Tactics

Ukraine's ongoing conflict differs significantly from the training North Korean forces have received, suggesting minimal instruction from the Russian side.

Ihorovych noted, "They would advance straight out from the forest line, reminiscent of scenes from World War II films," referring to high-casualty charges from that era. His forces had to eliminate those who broke into the open space.

Remarkably, his unit successfully completed their mission without suffering any casualties, emphasizing the label of North Koreans as mere "cannon fodder."

Leaders' Perspectives

The Biden administration had previously evaluated that North Koreans were employing ineffective mass assault tactics.

At that time, an American official remarked on the expendability of these troops as viewed by Russian and North Korean leaders, used in desperate bids against Ukraine's defenses.

Although North Korea's military is traditionally regarded as disciplined and skilled, it was unaccustomed to the complexities of modern conflict and far from prepared for such challenges.

Heavy Casualties and Strategic Shifts

Recent intelligence indicates North Korea faced severe losses, with 4,000 troops either killed or injured in Russian territory. Britain's defense department highlighted the swift attrition as damaging to their operational capacity in Kursk.

Analysts cautioned in January about the danger of Pyongyang potentially losing its entire deployment within weeks if the trend continued.

There is speculation that North Korean forces were withdrawn due to substantial casualties, as their presence on the battlefront has dwindled.

Strengthened Alliances

Throughout the conflict, Russia and North Korea have increased their military collaboration, forming a pact that promises mutual defense support. Beyond troops, North Korea also supplied artillery and missiles to Russia.