In Kursk, Russia, soldiers presumed to be North Korean troops are reportedly attacked by Ukrainian forces. It has been claimed by the Ukrainian military that North Korean soldiers sent to help Russia in its war against Ukraine are essentially being used as ‘human mine detectors.’
On the 9th (local time), the British daily The Times reported, citing testimony from Lieutenant Colonel ‘Leopard’ of the Ukrainian 33rd Separate Assault Battalion ‘Big Cats,’ who had recently engaged with North Korean soldiers in the Russian Kursk region’s Makhnopka village.
Leopard stated, “North Korea has a ‘meat grinder’ strategy. Where Ukrainians deploy mine-clearing vehicles, they just use people.” He explained, “They walk in a line, spaced 3-4 meters apart. If one person is blown up, medical personnel follow to collect the body, and the people continue in sequence.” He added, “This is how they traverse minefields.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that there was a battle in Makhnopka village on January 4, during which a battalion of North Korean troops was wiped out within two days. Subsequently, on the 7th, another battalion-sized force of North Korean soldiers advanced, prompting operations by the ‘Big Cats’ and the 61st Mechanized Brigade to retake the village.
Leopard mentioned that the North Korean soldiers were mixed with Russian forces to conceal their identities. He said they used small arms like machine guns and grenade launchers, as well as mortars, but did not use drones.
However, he speculated that as the war drags on, North Korean troops might begin to adopt drones, having started to learn about them. He noted that North Korean troops are well-trained and physically fit, but due to unfamiliar weather and terrain, they are assigned guides to help them navigate the environment.
He testified that his battalion captured a Russian guide, but the North Korean soldiers refused to be taken alive, choosing to fight to the death or attempting to flee. Moreover, it seemed that North Korean commanders were unfazed by personnel losses.
Leopard explained that the North Korean troops tried to hide in the forest after being pushed out of the village, but were easily detected by his military’s thermal imaging cameras. He reported that his unit’s drones dropped grenades on them, “I saw 4 North Korean soldiers killed in just 15 minutes, and over two days, I counted 120 deaths.”
He stated that on the 9th, Ukrainian forces repelled enemy attacks and penetrated deeper into the village. However, he added that the fight to hold the best cards on the peace negotiation table is far from over, as the enemy is regrouping.