Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) launched a successful raid against Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk oblast, the 6th Separate Ranger Regiment reported in March 2025.

The regiment stated that during the operation, their soldiers killed eight enemy combatants.

Following the battle, the Ukrainian forces took documents and personal belongings from the deceased soldiers.

The 6th Separate Ranger Regiment, part of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, has been active in the Kursk oblast for a long time.

It was created to meet NATO standards in both structure and equipment.

The idea was created back in 2022, but its implementation began only last year, and gained momentum in the spring-summer of 2024.

In the battles in Kursk oblast, the Special Operations Forces managed to capture North Korean POWs alive.

Also among the trophies, the soldiers published documents in Korean that revealed the details of the participation of the DPRK troops in the war.

After suffering heavy losses, the North Korean military was withdrawn for recovery but began to be actively redeployed to the Kursk Oblast in early February.

“Since mid-December 2024, they have been directly involved in combat operations. Initially, they suffered significant losses, after which they were withdrawn for rest. The losses amount to about 4,000 out of 11,000, which is a substantial toll for this period. However, since the first week of February, they have been actively engaged again in the Kursk oblast,” said Vadim Skibitsky, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.

Skibitsky added that the key issue now is obtaining information on whether additional forces will be sent, or if there will be rotations or replacements for the dead and wounded soldiers.