The Ukrainian military has revealed a handwritten notebook allegedly recovered from the body of a North Korean soldier, offering insights into tactics used by North Korean troops to counter Ukrainian drones. The note, detailed in a Telegram post by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, describes a three-person strategy involving “human bait” to lure drones into a vulnerable position for destruction.
The notebook, reportedly authored by a soldier identified as Jong Kyong Hong, includes diagrams and written instructions on counter-drone tactics. It details a method wherein one individual serves as stationary bait to lure drones closer, while two others position themselves to shoot the unmanned devices. Ukrainian officials labeled this approach as using “living human bait.”
Diary of KIA North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast. Part 2 «Live bait”
Ukrainian SOF operators eliminated a North Korean soldier in russia’s Kursk region, discovering his diary. The entries reveal that North Korea sent elite troops to support russia, not ordinary soldiers. 1/9 pic.twitter.com/J3DsLIcv0J
— SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) December 26, 2024
Additional entries in the notebook suggest measures for avoiding artillery strikes, including dispersing into smaller units and utilizing craters for cover. The Ukrainian military is investigating whether these tactics originated from North Korean training or were taught by Russian forces.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service described them as “ill-equipped and inexperienced,” with many failing to adapt to the open-field warfare and sophisticated drone operations employed by Ukraine.
South Korean intelligence estimates that at least 1,100 North Korean soldiers have been killed in Kursk, with Ukrainian sources suggesting over 3,000 North Korean casualties, including wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized North Korea’s involvement, calling their participation in the conflict “senseless” and accusing Russian forces of exploiting them as expendable manpower.
North Korean troops, reportedly numbering up to 12,000 in Russia, have faced significant difficulties in combating Ukrainian drone operators. According to Federico Borsari, a resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, North Korean soldiers lacked proper counter-drone equipment and camouflage, making them vulnerable targets. Many were identified and killed through Ukraine’s use of thermal imaging technology.
Russian soldiers have reportedly expressed frustration over North Korean troops, referring to them as a “burden” due to their lack of familiarity with modern military technology. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that North Korea has begun implementing measures to mitigate these weaknesses, including the establishment of additional observation posts for drone detection and tactical adjustments to minimize casualties.
