Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) reported that a platoon of North Korean (DPRK) soldiers was eliminated in close combat during an operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
The SSO shared video footage of the assault on Telegram Thursday, writing:
“Soldiers of the 6th Ranger Regiment of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted special operations against regular North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia.”
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According to the report, during a rapid engagement, Ukrainian forces eliminated 25 DPRK troops.
Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time or location of the footage. However, the video shows what appear to be body camera and drone-recorded moments from the assault, including an intense firefight and first aid being administered to a wounded Ukrainian soldier.
“These events took place last month, but due to operational security, we are only now able to release details and footage from SSO drone and body cameras,” the statement says.
The SSO reported eight rangers, riding in an armored Humvee and supported by reconnaissance drones, advanced deep behind Russian lines.
Once in range, they took up positions in trenches and initiated a firefight with a DPRK unit three times their size.
“Despite the numerical superiority of the enemy and heavy artillery fire, the SSO soldiers proved that quality beats quantity,” the report reads. “They didn’t leave the entire DPRK platoon a chance during the engagement.”
After completing their mission, the rangers withdrew from the area.
Russia announced on April 19 that its forces had retaken Oleshnya, the second-to-last village in Kursk Oblast still held by Ukrainian troops, following Kyiv’s surprise offensive in August last year.
The Ukrainian operation caught Russian forces off guard and allowed Ukraine to reclaim over 1,000 square kilometers (around 400 square miles) of territory.
According to Moscow, only one village – Gornal – currently remains under Ukrainian control in the area.
In March, Russian troops reportedly regained significant ground in the region, including retaking the town of Sudzha, previously used by Ukrainian forces as a key base.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had confirmed that Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the city of Sudzha.