On the night of December 25, 2024, Ukrainian forces carried out a strike deep inside Russian territory, targeting a command post linked to Russia’s 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade. The attack took place in the town of Lgov, located in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian officials described the strike as part of a broader effort to disrupt Russian military coordination during active fighting along and inside the Russian border region.
Target: The 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade
The 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade is considered one of Russia’s elite marine units. It has been heavily involved in combat operations linked to Russia’s efforts to repel Ukraine’s cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian sources stated that the command post belonged to this brigade, underscoring the significance of the target and the potential operational disruption caused by the strike.
Location: Lgov, Kursk Oblast
Lgov is a town in western Russia’s Kursk Oblast, well inside Russian territory. The strike highlights Ukraine’s continued ability to reach military targets beyond the front line.
Kursk Oblast has been a focal point since Ukraine launched its August 2024 incursion, marking the most significant Ukrainian ground operation on Russian soil in modern history.
Command Post in a Civilian Structure
Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications stated that the Russian command post was operating from an abandoned civilian building. According to Ukrainian claims, Russian forces were using the structure to house military leadership.
The use of civilian buildings for military purposes has been a recurring issue during the war, raising both operational risks and disputes over responsibility for casualties.
Purpose of the Strike
Ukrainian officials said the strike aimed to weaken Russia’s ability to coordinate military operations. Command posts play a central role in planning, communications, and battlefield control.
Disrupting such facilities can slow decision-making, complicate logistics, and reduce the effectiveness of nearby combat units, even if the strike does not eliminate senior commanders.
Disputed Casualty Claims
Russian regional authorities disputed Ukraine’s account of the target. Kursk Oblast’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, stated that four people were killed and five injured, describing them as civilian casualties. He rejected claims that the strike hit a military command post.
As with many incidents in the war, independent verification of casualties and the exact function of the building remains limited.
No Confirmation of Senior Officer Losses
Despite widespread online claims, there is no verified confirmation that senior officers or the brigade’s deputy commander were killed in the strike.
Reports of large numbers of officers eliminated, or specific commanders targeted, have not been substantiated by reliable evidence. Ukrainian and international reporting has urged caution regarding exaggerated or unverified battlefield claims.
Kursk Incursion Context
The strike occurred amid Ukraine’s ongoing operations in Kursk Oblast following its August 2024 incursion. Ukrainian forces initially seized significant territory inside Russia.
However, by late December, Ukrainian officials acknowledged that more than 40 percent of the territory captured during the initial offensive had since been retaken by Russian forces.
Fighting on Russian Soil
Ukraine’s operations in Kursk represent a major escalation in the war’s geography. For the first time since World War II, large-scale ground fighting has taken place inside Russia involving foreign forces.
The battles have forced Moscow to redeploy units, reinforce border regions, and rely on additional manpower to stabilize the front.
North Korean Troops Enter the War
One of the most striking developments in Kursk Oblast has been the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia.
More than 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to the region since the fall of 2024. This marks the first confirmed deployment of foreign combat troops on Russian soil in modern history.
Scope of North Korean Deployment
Initial deployments reportedly involved approximately 11,000 to 12,000 North Korean combat troops starting in October 2024.
These forces were integrated into Russian units operating exclusively within Kursk Oblast. Additional personnel, including engineering and construction units, have been reported, though their exact numbers and roles vary by account.
Heavy Casualties Among North Korean Forces
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in late December that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded since their deployment.
Other Ukrainian estimates place total casualties even higher over time. While exact figures cannot be independently verified, there is broad agreement that North Korean units have suffered severe losses.
Attrition and Sustainability Concerns
At the current pace of fighting, analysts warn that North Korea’s deployed contingent could face near-total losses by mid-2025 if casualty rates remain unchanged.
The harsh conditions, unfamiliar terrain, and high-intensity combat have reportedly taken a heavy toll on North Korean troops, many of whom lack experience in modern combined-arms warfare.
No Verified New 10,000-Troop Surge
Despite speculation, there is no confirmed evidence that Russia has deployed an additional 10,000 North Korean troops in direct response to the Christmas strike in Lgov.
While discussions and plans for further deployments have surfaced at various points, no verified reports confirm a new large-scale reinforcement as of late December 2024.
Long-Term Deployment Plans Unclear
Reports earlier in 2025 suggested that Russia and North Korea discussed the possibility of sending up to 30,000 additional personnel over time.
However, these plans have not been fully confirmed or implemented. By December 2025, there was no verified evidence that such a large expansion had occurred on the ground.
Strategic Impact of Command Post Strikes
Even without confirmed high-ranking casualties, strikes on command posts can have outsized effects. Brigade-level headquarters typically coordinate thousands of troops.
Disruptions can delay orders, reduce situational awareness, and complicate responses during fast-moving battles, especially in contested regions like Kursk Oblast.
Russia’s Manpower Pressures
The presence of North Korean troops highlights Russia’s ongoing manpower challenges. Ukrainian officials claim Russia has suffered over one million troop casualties since February 2022, a figure Moscow disputes.
Regardless of exact numbers, the reliance on foreign forces underscores the strain on Russia’s conventional military resources.
Ukraine’s Dual Reality
The Lgov strike illustrates a paradox facing Ukraine. Kyiv has demonstrated the ability to strike deep inside Russia, including on symbolic dates like Christmas.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces are under pressure on multiple fronts and have lost a significant portion of the territory gained during the Kursk incursion.
Information War and Competing Narratives
Both sides have used the strike to advance competing narratives. Ukraine emphasizes operational success and disruption, while Russian officials stress civilian harm and deny military losses.
The incident reflects the broader information war surrounding the conflict, where battlefield events are rapidly politicized and contested.
A Conflict Entering New Territory
The Christmas night strike in Lgov and the deployment of North Korean troops underscore how the war has entered unprecedented territory.
Fighting on Russian soil, foreign troops engaged in European combat, and deep-strike operations all point to an escalating and increasingly complex conflict with consequences extending far beyond the front lines.
Sources:
- Title: North Koreans killed in Kursk as they enter Russia-Ukraine – Publication: Al Jazeera
- Title: Ukraine’s Army hits Russian army command post in Lgov – Publication: Ukrinform
- Title: Deputy Commander of Russia’s 810th Naval Brigade – Publication: United24 Media
- Title: Putin thanks North Korea for troop deployment and promises – Publication: Associated Press (AP News)
- Title: North Korean involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present) – Wikipedia