Stanisland Magazine

Pyongyang confirms they have deployed special forces to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine.

At the request of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un has sent 1,500 troops from the North Korean special forces to Russia to fight against Ukraine.

A viral video recently emerged online that appeared to show soldiers in the country, which was later confirmed by Pyongyang.

How Strong Are They?

North Korea’s elite unit, also known as the Korean People’s Army Special Operations Forces (KPASOF), is a 200,000 strong division, making it the largest elite guard in the world.

They’re known for a wide array of skill sets including spycraft, sabotage and hand-to-hand combat.

The unit’s primary mission is to disrupt and repel foreign invasions by air, land and sea. Due to North Korea’s closed borders and lack of outside influence, they’re rumoured to be highly motivated.

What Weapons Do They Use?

Their primary weapon is the Type 88 Rifle, which is similar to the AK-74 and can hold 100-150 rounds. They also have access to the Mosin-Nagant and Dragunov SVD sniper rifles, machine guns and anti-tank weapons like the RPG-7.

Despite a lack of access to advanced armaments, they have adapted to guerrilla warfare. However, they may become difficult to read following the provision of weapons by the Russian government.

Most concerning of all is the prospect of the KPASOF’s rumoured willingness to use chemical warfare in battle, including sarin gas and anthrax.

What Operations Have They Been Involved in?

Only a handful of operations have been documented. These include two failed assignments in South Korea in 1968: an amphibious assault known as the Uljin-Samcheok Landings and a foiled assassination attempt on President Park Chung Hee, which came to be known as the Blue House Raid.