Under Attack from North Korea, a Ukrainian Brigade Resorted to Utilizing a River as a Natural Fortification
When the 11th Army Corps of North Korea commenced combat around the periphery of a 250-square-mile bulge in Ukraine, which Ukrainian forces had maintained in western Russia's Kursk Oblast, last weekend, the extensive formations of North Korean infantry, marching across open fields under broad daylight, collided directly with a barrage of Ukrainian firepower.
With the exception of one successful assault, nearly all other attacks resulted in heavy casualties, with estimates suggesting up to 200 North Koreans sustained injuries or lost their lives from a force of approximately 12,000 personnel.
The one successful assault was a pyrrhic victory for the 11th Army Corps, as indicated by one Ukrainian analyst group. In the southern village of Plekhove, located close to the Psel River along the salient's eastern edge, a group of 100 Ukrainian soldiers courageously defended against two waves of roughly 150 North Korean soldiers.
Despite their valiant efforts, the North Koreans continued to advance. As reported by Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko, "The North Korean soldiers attacked en masse or, more aptly, in a mass group."
Eventually, facing a third wave of North Korean soldiers approaching from the east, the Ukrainian garrison in Plekhove was forced to retreat.
However, the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies asserted that the withdrawal was a deliberate choice. Ukrainian troops "did not cling to Plekhove at any cost, but instead withdrew north of the Psel River."
This strategic withdrawal resulted in the creation of a formidable natural barrier between the combined Russian-North Korean forces and the main Ukrainian unit in the area, the 61st Mechanized Brigade.
"This forces the enemy to traverse open terrain to launch attacks on positions whose layout remains unknown to them, all while facing strikes from UAVs and artillery," the CDS explained.
Positioned north and west of the winding Psel, Ukrainian forces have relentlessly fired upon North Korean and Russian forces, making repeated attempts to advance towards the river, cross, and establish a foothold.
"Countless attacks over the past few days have culminated in failed attempts to reach Ukrainian defenses at a distance," according to CDS.
The unsuccessful assaults have further added to Russia and North Korea's mounting losses. Just in its initial days of battle, the 11th Army Corps of North Korea could potentially have sustained a loss of up to 4% of its manpower - a rate of loss that proves challenging to sustain over a long period.
Yet, voluntarily surrendering any territory in Kursk carries risks for the Ukrainians. With dimensions of roughly 12 miles by 12 miles, their salient is comparatively limited in terms of terrain and space for maneuverability.
The Ukrainians, according to CDS, "intelligently utilize terrain and maneuvering tactics," but the Kursk salient provides limited terrain and sparse room to maneuver.
FURTHER READING FROM FORBES
Despite the North Korean army's attempts to push further along the Psel River, Ukrainian forces, strategically positioned north and west, have repeatedly thwarted their advances. The ongoing confrontations have led to significant losses for the 11th Army Corps of North Korea, with estimates suggesting they've suffered up to 4% of their manpower in the initial stages of the conflict in the Kursk Oblast of western Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's immediate neighbor, Russia, has also been affected by these battles. The extensive formations of Russian infantry, supporting North Korea's attacks, have been met with fierce Ukrainian resistance near Kursk, reminiscent of the historic clashes between these two nations along the border of the Psel River.
