Asger Risom
Pyongyang confirms deployment as heavy losses force tactical shifts on the battlefield
In a striking development, North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine have now been officially featured in Russian media.
The video release marks the first public confirmation of Pyongyang’s military involvement and highlights how battlefield realities are forcing rapid adaptation among the new arrivals.
Heavy North Korean Losses in Kursk Region
On April 28, North Korea officially confirmed it had deployed troops to Russia, claiming they were sent to “liberate” territories in the Kursk region controlled by Ukrainian forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly thanked Pyongyang for its support, although Kyiv denied any territorial losses in the area, as reported by WP Tech.
Despite the propaganda fanfare, the reality on the ground appears grim for North Korean forces.
Ukrainian and Western intelligence estimate that roughly 14,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed, with about 5,000 killed or wounded in initial engagements. Analysts attribute these staggering losses to the soldiers’ initial lack of preparation for modern warfare dominated by drones and artillery.
Drones and Artillery Shatter Inexperienced Forces
Captured North Korean prisoners have reportedly confirmed that Ukraine’s use of FPV (first-person view) drones—small, commercially available drones modified with explosive payloads—was particularly devastating.
These low-cost, highly mobile weapons overwhelmed poorly trained units, forcing the Russians to improve the training provided to their North Korean allies.
Russian forces have since equipped North Korean soldiers with modern Russian weaponry, including AK-12 rifles and Vepr-12 shotguns, the latter likely adapted for anti-drone operations.
They also continue to use North Korean-made Type 73 machine guns and, like their Ukrainian counterparts, increasingly deploy drones for battlefield reconnaissance and attack.
The rapid tactical shift reflects a hard lesson learned by North Korean forces as they adapt to the intense technological demands of the Ukrainian front.