Ukrainian military officials have stated that soldiers sent by North Korea to Russia to participate in the Russo-Ukrainian War are easy targets for drone attacks. Recent intelligence reports indicate that some North Korean soldiers fighting in the Kursk region of Russia have been seeking refuge in local residents’ houses to evade Ukrainian military drones, even forcing elderly residents out into the cold.
The video released on January 5th by the Ukrainian civilian military intelligence organization “Inform Napalm” shows North Korean soldiers in the Mahnovka area of Kursk driving elderly residents out of the house and taking shelter inside to avoid being targeted by Ukrainian military drones. Two Russian residents are seen standing outside in the video, including an elderly woman.
According to the Kyiv Post, the video was provided by a Ukrainian drone unit, confirming that these soldiers are from North Korea, not “Russian soldiers from the Republic of Buryatia.”
A Ukrainian military spokesperson stated, “We are certain they are North Korean, not Russian. This is confirmed not only by their physical characteristics but also by other intelligence data… We know they are operating in the region and suffering significant losses. Perhaps, to avoid being killed in drone attacks, they decided to hide in local residents’ homes, forcing elderly grandparents out into the cold.”
The authenticity of this video could not be independently verified by Epoch Times.
Additionally, according to reports from RBC Ukraine, the Ukrainian 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment recently eliminated 13 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, with one potentially being an officer. During these special operations, the regiment engaged in combat, killing 5 North Korean soldiers and using drones to eliminate 8 others.
Following the operations, the regiment inspected the bodies of these North Korean soldiers and their personal belongings. One deceased soldier was found with items including:
– Assault rifle with telescopic sight
– Radio receiver with Chinese and Russian script
– Drone detector
– ID card distinguishing from a standard military ID, suggesting potential officer rank
Photos related to the inspection can be viewed by clicking here.
Radio Free Asia reported that the Ukrainian 36th Separate Marine Brigade’s drone system camp pointed out that North Korean soldiers operating in the Kursk region are vulnerable to Ukrainian drone attacks as they use a primitive induced drone tactic, documented in their military manual.
On January 5th, the brigade stated, “We have many North Korean soldiers in our direction, making them prime targets for our drones as they are unfamiliar with them. This is advantageous to us. They do not value their manpower, which is why they use this strategy.”
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service previously stated that North Korean forces are considered frontline assault teams in unfamiliar battlefield environments, lacking the ability to counter drone attacks, thus deemed a burden by Russian military.
Previously reported by Epoch Times, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a nighttime address on January 4th that the Russo-Korean coalition has suffered heavy losses, with an entire battalion being wiped out within two days.
Zelensky quoted a report from Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, stating that during the battles on January 3rd and 4th, Russian forces sustained casualties near Mahnovka, including North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers.