TechNorth Korean forces in Russia struggle with drone warfare

North Korean forces in Russia struggle with drone warfare

Russian forces have engaged soldiers from North Korea in the Kursk region, where they first encountered drones. The method of combating drones by North Korean soldiers was discovered by Ukrainian special forces in a captured notebook. We explain the importance of drones in the war in Ukraine.

A page from a KPA soldier's notebook.
A page from a KPA soldier's notebook.
Images source: © special operations forces of ukraine
Przemysław Juraszek

Ukrainian soldiers found notes belonging to Private Jong from a special unit named in honour of Kim Jong Un. Besides the unconditional expression of admiration and loyalty to the Asian regime leader, there is also a belief that fighting in Russia serves the defence of the North Korean homeland.

According to the Unian agency and Ukrainian Special Operations Command, the notes also contain a description of combating drones. This requires (according to the instructions) three soldiers, with one serving as a live decoy, while the other two are positioned about 7 metres away to fight off the machines. The Korean notes that when the decoy stops, the drone also stops, and then the other two have the best chance of shooting it down. It is presumed that this "instruction" was provided to the Koreans by the Russians, as many of Kim’s soldiers had not previously encountered such machines.

The description most likely refers to bomb-dropping drones of the "Baba Yaga" type, which indeed need to hover over a target momentarily to drop, for example, mortar shells. However, this tactic does not consider FPV drones (small "kamikaze" drones), against which it is ineffective.

Drones — A nightmare North Korean soldiers weren’t ready for

Ukrainian drone footage shows that the Koreans attack in lines, often across open terrain, which results in massive losses. Ukrainians, like the Russians, use different types of drones and artillery in these scenarios.

The mentioned "Baba Yaga" drones are commercial agricultural or industrial unmanned aerial vehicles that can reach altitudes up to about 3,000 metres, carrying loads of approximately 20-30 kilograms. They are used not only for bombing Russians with mortar shells (sometimes even laser-guided ones) but also for other tasks. Besides conducting reconnaissance, they serve as signal boosters for other drones, airborne Starlink terminals, laying mines, or transporting robo-dogs.

Disposable drones in Ukraine

On the other hand, FPV drones are disposable constructions composed only of a frame, control system with an antenna, electric motors with rotors, a camera, and a battery. Any explosive material can be attached to such a device (even with zip ties), creating a simple guided weapon.

This is an ideal way to utilise outdated weapons such as grenade launchers, but electronic warfare systems sometimes limit its effectiveness. Ukrainians and Russians are continually improving their methods by, for example, controlling the drone with a deployable fibre optic cable or using artificial intelligence algorithms.

Both methods enable operations under conditions of strong interference. At the unit level, a common sight includes smoothbore shotguns or experiments with anti-drone ammunition for rifles.

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