Director Andriy Kovalenko of Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center (CCD) stated in an RFA interview that he is tracking the movements of North Korean troops dispatched to Russia. Some North Korean military bases stationed in Russia have reportedly been destroyed, and there is a possibility of additional troop deployments, according to Ukrainian officials.
The North Korean soldiers currently wearing Russian military uniforms are dispersed among Russian troops, particularly positioned towards the village of Suja in the Kursk region, an area subjected to general artillery shelling. There’s considerable destruction reported at locations known to house North Korean forces, although casualties remain unconfirmed, making it premature to discuss prisoner issues.
If the North Korean soldiers survive, they are expected to replace Russian troops as part of a plan to replace 7,000 to 12,000 Russian soldiers stationed in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. However, the likelihood of their survival is assessed negatively.
It remains uncertain whether North Korean troops will be placed at the forefront of Russian-occupied units, but Ukraine is not ruling out this scenario. If North Korean forces of 12,000 survive, additional deployments from North Korea are expected.
There’s substantial information on how these soldiers operate in certain units, and Russian commanders are reportedly dissatisfied due to a significant language barrier that hinders operations, leading to tension between troops. The soldiers are currently preparing for an offensive on the village of Suja, training to use FPV drones for combat, which is considered crucial for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to maintain a combat-experienced military.
Furthermore, reports suggest that Russia plans to send military instructors to North Korea to train in FPV drone production and explosive device installation, teaching how to use FPV drones in combat.
As for the use of drones by North Korean troops in Ukraine, Kovalenko stated there is currently no evidence of their operation, which is understandable given their inexperience.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the first engagement with North Korean forces, indicating a new era of global instability. According to a U.S. government official, the NYT reported that North Korean troops engaged in their first combat with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, with many soldiers killed. Ukrainian high-ranking officials believe North Korean troops conducted limited reconnaissance missions with Russia’s 810th Separate Guards Naval Infantry Brigade.