TechNorth Korean troops face drone warfare challenges in Russia

North Korean troops face drone warfare challenges in Russia

The Russian media have released the first official footage showing the training of North Korean soldiers. Following initial losses, the Kremlin ensured that the forces sent by its ally were equipped and familiarised with the realities of the conflict against Ukrainians, where artillery and drones prevail.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 15: A South Korean protester spray paints on a North Korean flag during a anti-North Korea rally before opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung faces court on election law violation charges near the Seoul Central District Court on November 15, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Protesters demonstrated against North Korea, its involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who was indicted on bribery charges in June for facilitating a transfer of funds to North Korea via an underwear manufacturer. The Seoul Central District Court is expected to make a ruling on Lee’s election law violation charges after he allegedly made false statements during the previous presidential election campaign. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - NOVEMBER 15: A South Korean protester spray paints on a North Korean flag during a anti-North Korea rally before opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung faces court on election law violation charges near the Seoul Central District Court on November 15, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Protesters demonstrated against North Korea, its involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who was indicted on bribery charges in June for facilitating a transfer of funds to North Korea via an underwear manufacturer. The Seoul Central District Court is expected to make a ruling on Lee’s election law violation charges after he allegedly made false statements during the previous presidential election campaign. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY | Chung Sung-Jun

On Monday, 28th April, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it had sent its soldiers to Russia for "liberating the Kursk area to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities." Vladimir Putin thanked them for this support and added that Ukrainian troops were pushed out of this region (although Kyiv denies this).

Huge losses of Koreans at Kursk

Neither the propaganda messages nor the video material presented by the Russians detailing the training of the North Koreans reveal the losses suffered by Kim Jong Un's forces. Ukrainians and Western intelligence agencies believe that Pyongyang has sent about 14,000 of its soldiers to Russia. They estimate that about 5,000 of them have been removed from combat (this number includes those killed and injured).

Drones decimate North Korean forces

According to Ukrainians, the significant losses of North Koreans are primarily due to their initial unpreparedness for the realities of the ongoing conflict and their clash with Ukrainian tactics, which largely rely on drones and artillery. This was confirmed by North Korean prisoners who were captured.

Ukrainians mainly use FPV (first-person view) drones, typically small, commercial models equipped with a camera providing a real-time view. These are modified for warfare by adding a few kilograms of explosives, grenades, or bombs. Only after the initial significant losses did the Russians begin to train the forces sent by their ally, resulting in a noticeable change in the tactics used by the North Koreans.

Among the weapons used by North Korean soldiers fighting on the Russian side, the Russian equipment, such as AK-12 rifles and Vepr-12 semi-automatic shotguns, which likely also served as anti-drone weapons, was noted. Both North Koreans and Russians also use North Korean Type 73 machine guns and, like Ukrainians, drones (including fibre-optic drones).

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