Currently, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are engaged in active combat operations in the Kursk region, located directly on russian territory. The russian military has reportedly been ordered by its leadership to expel Ukrainian forces from this area by the end of the month. This directive, linked to geopolitical maneuvers ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, underscores the urgency of their efforts.
In addition to russian forces, North Korean troops have been actively participating in battles in the Kursk region for several months. This month, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces captured their first North Korean prisoners. The captives echoed earlier claims made by russian soldiers in 2022, asserting that they had been sent "for training." Reports also revealed that North Korean troops in the region had received specialized training, including counter-drone tactics and methods to evade artillery fire.
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The battles in the Kursk region began in early August 2024, spearheaded by the 80th Separate Galician Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces. Insights from commanders of this brigade have been instrumental in assessing the evolving situation on this front.
According to Yehor Nozdryakov, commander of the brigade’s airborne assault battalion, russian forces have dramatically shifted their tactics. They now rely heavily on "meat assaults," deploying large numbers of troops, often bolstered by North Korean reinforcements.
“Previously, they used small groups, bringing them in pairs or clusters, and then initiating assault actions. Now, they attack in large formations, reminiscent of World War II, with groups of 20–30 soldiers,” said Nozdryakov. He emphasized that such tactics occasionally succeed because Ukrainian forces cannot always neutralize these large concentrations quickly enough with available drones and artillery. In response, Ukrainian troops are increasing their personnel, setting up machine-gun ambushes, and employing other countermeasures.
The numerical superiority of russian and North Korean forces presents a significant challenge, making specific weapons crucial for Ukrainian defense efforts:
- Cluster Munitions: These are highly effective against massed enemy assaults, but their availability remains limited. For example, Ukrainian forces have employed the American M712 Copperhead guided projectiles from the 1970s, showcasing their utility in countering concentrated enemy advances.

- Drones: Unmanned aerial systems are indispensable in modern warfare, especially given the challenges of maintaining a consistent supply. russian forces have employed fiber-optic drones in the region, as demonstrated in footage shared by russian media. These drones are capable of precise targeting, as highlighted in an incident where an Abrams tank survived an attack from such a weapon, enabling its crew to escape.
Ukrainian forces are also advancing in this domain. By the end of last year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine completed testing fiber-optic drones, and the Defense Procurement Agency has recently announced plans to secure the first contracts for fiber-optic FPV drones.
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