North Korean troops bolster Russia's unconventional warfare drills
The Russians have showcased exercises featuring soldiers from North Korea at one of their training grounds, simulating trench warfare. The equipment, which resembles the gear typically used by Russian Spetsnaz soldiers, comes as a significant surprise.
A new video has emerged online illustrating North Korean soldiers training at a Russian site. Alongside hand-to-hand combat and knife throwing, the video also depicts trench warfare exercises. The equipment is notable, featuring AK-12 rifles with holographic sights. One soldier is seen using a shotgun that appears to be a new version of the Baikal MP-155, complete with an extended tube magazine and an added rail section for optics.
This development is not entirely unexpected, as smoothbore shotguns are currently the most popular choice for last-resort anti-drone defence in the war in Ukraine, during a period of widespread use of drones resistant to jamming and controlled through advanced fibre optics or utilising artificial intelligence algorithms.
The superior equipment provided to North Korean soldiers, compared to their Russian counterparts, is due to their significantly higher combat value. These soldiers are highly motivated and trained in firearms use, capable of attacking irrespective of their losses. This makes them extremely dangerous in close-quarters combat, and the most effective strategy is to neutralise them before they approach Ukrainian fortifications.
AK-12 rifles in the hands of Kim's soldiers — a disappointing endpoint of the Kalashnikov evolution
The AK-12 rifle was introduced to the Russian armed forces in 2018 as an upgrade to the older AK-74M model, designed to meet modern battlefield requirements. The new iteration features improved sights, a top-mounted rail, and polymer covers that include additional rails for attaching accessories such as optical sights, torches, or laser sights.
Additionally, the AK-12 is equipped with a new folding stock that has an adjustable length. The flash suppressor, also serving as a compensator, has been adapted to work with a sound suppressor, and the fire selector has been improved to include a burst mode.
Despite these upgrades, many soldiers criticised the AK-12, leading to the development of the AK-12M1 version, which entered service in 2023. The most significant modification was the introduction of a new selector lever with a safety feature and the removal of the burst mode.
Furthermore, the Russians modified the method of mounting the receiver cover to ensure stability, so that the optical sights mounted on it do not need to be readjusted each time the weapon is reassembled. The gun also received a new folding stock with an adjustable vertical cheek pad.
Despite these improvements, the AK-12 essentially remains an AK-74M with polymer additions, slightly heavier and more challenging to clean. The same effect can be achieved with a wide range of accessories for the older weapon.
