North Korean Military Begins Shooting Down Drones... Ukraine Cornered [AK Radio]

After Suffering Heavy Losses, Troops Received Drone Training
Developed Their Own Counter-Drone Tactics

It has been reported that North Korean troops deployed in the Ukraine war, despite initial setbacks, have rapidly adapted to modern warfare tactics and are turning the tide of battle. In the Kursk region of Russia, previously occupied by Ukraine, the Ukrainian forces have been repeatedly pushed back by Russian troops led by North Korean soldiers, forcing Ukraine to shift focus to defending its own borders.

Initially, the North Korean troops suffered heavy casualties due to their inability to adapt to unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) tactics. However, within a short period, they mastered counter-drone tactics and, through coordinated operations with Russian forces, have demonstrated notable achievements on the battlefield. According to testimony from a Ukrainian officer, the North Korean troops even developed a unique tactic where one soldier acts as bait to lure drones, while other soldiers surround and shoot down the drones with precision fire. After suffering significant losses in early battles, they were withdrawn from the front lines for about a month and redeployed to the Russian rear, where they received training on drone tactics, greatly enhancing their combat effectiveness.

The total number of North Korean troops deployed is estimated to be between 14,000 and 15,000, with casualties exceeding 5,000 soldiers rendered combat ineffective. Generally, when casualties exceed 30% of the total deployed force, morale drops significantly and combat deployment becomes impossible. However, the North Korean troops have continued to fiercely engage at the forefront of each battle zone, surprising even the Russian forces.

Notably, some North Korean soldiers reportedly committed suicide by detonating grenades on themselves when surrounded by enemy forces. This is a rare scene in modern warfare and reminiscent of scenes from World War II movies, leaving a strong impression on both Russian and Ukrainian forces. Analysts attribute this strong spirit to the fact that these soldiers are not ordinary infantry but special forces from the Storm Corps. The Storm Corps is a unit organized for wartime infiltration operations into South Korea, known for intense training involving full combat gear and running dozens of kilometers daily.

A Ukrainian soldier preparing to launch an attack drone on the 7th (local time). Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.

This unit originally specializes in special operations such as infiltrating enemy lines via submarines at sea or airborne parachute drops. However, due to North Korea’s economic difficulties, they have barely conducted mechanized operations requiring fuel and instead have focused on cost-free mountain and maneuver warfare training, resulting in mental and physical toughness that is considered superior to other countries’ militaries.

Thanks to the North Korean troops’ performance, Russia continues to employ a time-dragging strategy even after the partial ceasefire. Despite a partial ceasefire on energy facilities mediated by the United States, Russia has been delaying negotiations by proposing new dates or suddenly changing ceasefire negotiation representatives. Although the Trump administration pressured Russia with threats of additional oil tariffs if it delayed, Russia continues to stall.

More concerning is Russia’s plan to redeploy North Korean troops not only for the operation to recapture Kursk Oblast but also to other Ukrainian battlefields. Movements of North Korean infantry and artillery divisions have already been reported by Russian media in regions including the southern Crimean Peninsula.

So far, Russia and North Korea have adhered to a mutual assistance treaty, with North Korean troops participating only in battles to reclaim Russian territory lost to Ukraine. If North Korean troops engage in expanded combat, North Korea would become a direct belligerent and war criminal state alongside Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, potentially triggering further repercussions in the international community.

Reuters Yonhap News

The greatest concern from South Korea’s perspective is that North Korean troops are gaining extensive real combat experience in modern drone warfare. It is expected that North Korea has already received a significant number of new drones, drone detectors, and fiber-optic drones from Russia, raising the possibility that North Korea will actively use drones in various future military provocations.

Additionally, North Korea is acquiring various conventional weapons from Russia and is expected to receive technology related to nuclear weapons and nuclear propulsion devices. This could significantly increase military tensions not only on the Korean Peninsula but throughout the Northeast Asia region. If North Korea continues to strengthen military cooperation with Russia after the Ukraine war and receives military support in exchange for troop deployment, it could provide resources enabling North Korea’s nuclear development and arms buildup. Therefore, the international community must consider how to sever the link between these two countries.

Russia and North Korea have developed a blood alliance surpassing past North Korea-Russia relations, comparable to the South Korea-U.S. alliance, with North Korea learning modern warfare techniques through actual combat participation. Considering this situation, South Korea needs to thoroughly prepare and enhance its response capabilities for modern warfare, including drone warfare.