ISW analyses data on Russia's use of North Korean soldiers in its assaults

Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have analysed data on the participation of North Korean troops in assaults against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast. They added that North Korea's ability to take into account the lessons learned during the fighting with Russia will deteriorate significantly if North Korean soldiers are exhausted at the same level as the Russian military.

Source: ISW

Details: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on 14 December that the Russian military had deployed North Korean soldiers in infantry assaults in Kursk Oblast. 

Zelenskyy reported that the Russian military is integrating "a significant number" of North Korean troops into Russian units operating in Kursk Oblast, adding that these soldiers have already suffered "noticeable" losses.

He highlighted that Russian forces have so far used North Korean troops exclusively in offensive operations in Kursk Oblast but may deploy them to other unspecified frontline areas in the future.

This marks the first instance of a Ukrainian official reporting North Korean forces conducting assault operations since Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned in an interview with South Korea’s national broadcaster KBS on 5 November that Ukrainian forces had engaged in "small-scale" clashes with North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast.

Russian milbloggers have also recently acknowledged North Korean involvement in assaults in the region, claiming on 12 and 13 December that North Korean soldiers participated in the capture of Plekhovo (south of Sudzha) on 6 December.

The ISW couldn’t independently verify these claims. 

However, ISW previously noted that North Korea’s ability to learn and integrate lessons from fighting alongside Russia is likely to be significantly hindered if the Russian military command continues to deploy North Korean troops in the same highly attritional, infantry-led assaults used for most Russian personnel.

To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 14 December:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on 14 December that the Russian military has deployed North Korean soldiers in infantry assaults in Kursk Oblast.
• The prospects for Russia's continued military presence in Syria remain unclear as reports that Russia is evacuating its military assets from Syria continue.
• The complex nature of the interim Syrian government is likely to result in conflicting reports about whether Russia is engaged in talks with Syrian opposition groups.
• Ukrainian forces struck an oil depot in Oryol Oblast on the night of 13-14 December.
• The new Georgian Dream-dominated parliament and other government bodies elected Georgian Dream's candidate, Mikheil Kavelashvili, as Georgian President on 14 December.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Torestk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Robotyne.
• Ukrainian forces regained lost positions near Vovchansk within the past several weeks.
• Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues to exalt the "Time of Heroes" veteran programme and use it to militarise the Russian government and society.

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