Problems in the Kursk region: drones, logistics, North Koreans / hromadske

In February, Alex, a serviceman of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, spent 21 days in the Kursk region, facing heavy drone attacks and casualties. He reported that an FPV drone entered a cellar and seven or eight more followed, while gas and drops were also used. The Russian forces, reinforced with North Korean troops, intensified their offensive, pushing Ukrainian forces out of Sudzh and its outskirts. Deputy battalion commander Pavlo Yazlovetsky described the terrain as swampy and forested, complicating movement, and highlighted the decisive role of drones in disrupting logistics. Despite being ambushed three times, Yazlovetsky’s unit formed a circular defense and broke through, earning him the Hero of Ukraine award. The Russians’ use of drones and North Korean soldiers has forced Ukrainian troops to retreat, potentially allowing further Russian advances into Sumy Oblast.