North Korean forces suffer major setbacks in Kursk conflict
Reuben F. Johnson, a former Pentagon consultant and currently a military technology analyst, addressed the information related to the losses suffered by North Korean forces in the Kursk region. In his opinion, these losses are related to both Ukrainian weaponry and the tactics that Russia has chosen for its ally.
In an intelligence update issued on March 28, British intelligence estimated the North Korean losses (killed and wounded) in the Kursk region at over 5,000 soldiers. Reuben F. Johnson considers such statistics as "catastrophic." As he notes, this means that Pyongyang has already lost nearly half of the forces sent to aid Russia (estimated to be about 11,000 soldiers).
North Koreans surprised by drones
"The high number of casualties among North Korean soldiers is almost certainly a consequence of the standard Russian tactics. What is euphemistically termed as meat attacks. These are massive assaults in which individual units leave relatively safe armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles and move forward only on foot," writes Reuben F. Johnson in his analysis.
North Koreans moving on foot are defenceless against the weapons that Ukrainians rely on during operations in the Kursk region. This mainly includes artillery and drones. North Korean prisoners confirmed that they were not prepared for encounters with unmanned vehicles. They were surprised by the massive presence of this weaponry on the battlefield. Under Kursk, Ukrainians primarily use small FVP (first-person view) drones. These are often simple constructions with a camera providing real-time viewing and several kilograms of explosive payload. For infantry soldiers, these constructions are deadly.
Huge North Korean losses at Kursk
"Such tactics keep Ukrainian forces engaged, allowing the Russians to stay behind and look out for weak points in Ukrainian lines that may be exposed. Then they will send in Russian units, which can provide additional combat power," continues Reuben F. Johnson.
Western intelligence, as well as Ukrainians, believe that Pyongyang has already sent additional reinforcements to Russia in the form of several thousand more soldiers.
The first North Korean soldiers appeared in the Kursk region in November of last year. Almost from the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Russian aggressor, however, has been supported by deliveries of North Korean artillery shells. Additionally, it can count on some stockpiles of North Korean ballistic missiles KN-23 with a range of about 600 kilometres, as well as M1989 "Koksan" artillery systems and multiple rocket launchers.
