North Korean troops join Russian offensive in Ukraine's Sumy region
The Russians, along with North Korean soldiers, continued their attack after the Ukrainians withdrew from the Kursk region, leading to an incursion into the Ukrainian Sumy region. Here's what the North Koreans have at their disposal and how the Ukrainians are defending themselves.
According to the portal Militarnyj, Ukrainian soldiers from the 36th Independent Marine Brigade in the village of Basivka, Sumy region, eliminated a group of Russian and North Korean assault soldiers moving on buggies and quads.
Vehicles like these, as well as motorcycles and modified Ladas or Moskviches, are increasingly used by Russians due to the insufficient number of infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, or even MRAPs. This is particularly true for so-called exploitation units used in "meat assaults."
Fanaticism and good equipment from Russia
Kim Jong Un reportedly provided Russia with at least 12,000 soldiers to help reclaim the part of the Kursk region occupied by Ukrainians. Ukrainian reports estimate that at least one-third of the North Korean soldiers were killed, are missing, or were wounded.
The losses resulted from an initial tactic of mass infantry charges, a strategy not seen in Europe since the world wars. However, over time, North Korean soldiers adopted the Russian tactic of small assault groups.
It's important to emphasize that soldiers from North Korea are highly motivated and trained in firearm use, posing a significant threat if they approach Ukrainian trenches. The Russians also appear to be equipping the North Koreans with their best equipment, such as AK-12 rifles and gear like thermal sights.
Drones and artillery — the only solution to masses of Russians and North Koreans
Against such large infantry masses, the best option is to utilize drones, especially at night. These can be bombing drones like the "Baba Yaga," one-time FPV constructs, or FPV drones in a bombing variant equipped with firearms with a range of over 6 miles. Additionally, artillery equipped with cluster munitions for area effect, as well as shells with fuzes that explode in the air, is incredibly valuable.
An example is the M864 155 mm artillery shell, which contains numerous small bomblets. Some are designed to penetrate the upper armor of vehicles, while others create a fragmentation effect, covering a blast area with a few yards radius. One such shell can threaten an area of over 1,100 square feet.
Also helpful are mortars and automatic grenade launchers, especially when their crews maintain constant contact with a reconnaissance drone, allowing for precise indirect fire. Particularly effective are shells that explode at about 30 feet, scattering thousands of fragments over a large area.
