Russia has started training North Korean military personnel to operate heavy combat equipment, marking a new phase in their growing military partnership, according to Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
In a statement to South Korean media outlet The Chosun Ilbo, Skibitsky noted that North Korean soldiers have quickly adapted to modern warfare on the front lines, particularly in Russia’s Kursk region.
North Korean Forces Evolving on the Battlefield
Previously known for massive infantry assaults, North Korean troops have shifted tactics, incorporating smaller assault units and greater reliance on drones. This suggests a higher level of battlefield sophistication, Skibitsky explained.
“The North Korean military is rapidly mastering modern tactics and strategy, adapting in just a few months,” he said.
Their combat effectiveness has noticeably improved, particularly in the use of tanks, drones, and advanced weaponry.
This aligns with reports that Russia and North Korea are expanding military-technical cooperation, including weapons development, defense industry advancements, and scientific exchanges.
Ukraine’s GUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov also warned that Russia is actively enhancing North Korea’s military capabilities.
He pointed to North Korea’s KN-23 missiles, which initially had an accuracy error of 500 to 1,500 meters but have since become far more precise — a clear indication that Russian experts have helped refine their targeting systems.
“This cooperation is reaching the highest level and poses a serious threat to the international community,” Budanov stated.
Heavy Casualties for North Korean Soldiers
Despite their growing combat effectiveness, North Korean troops are suffering severe losses.
Of the 12,000 North Korean soldiers currently fighting for Russia, about 4,000 have been killed or seriously wounded, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Meanwhile, the presence of North Korean forces in the Kursk region has forced Russia to divert approximately 60,000 Russian troops from other parts of the battlefield, a factor Ukraine views as strategically significant.
