Storm Shadow Strike Reportedly Kills 500 North Korean Soldiers and 18 Russian Officers in Kursk Region

On November 20, a Storm Shadow missile strike hit a command facility in the village of Mariino, Kursk region, Russia, resulting in significant casualties.

According to Global Defense Corp, approximately 500 North Korean soldiers were reportedly killed in the attack, along with at least 18 Russian military officers. Among the dead was Major General Valeriy Solodchuk, the first deputy commander of the Leningrad Military District, who had previously commanded the 1st Army Corps of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” during the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The strike also caused injuries to three North Korean soldiers, including two male officers. In addition, 13 Russian sappers, including the deputy chief of staff of the 88th mechanized brigade, were wounded while defusing unexploded ordnance at the strike site.

Analysts suggest that the presence of such high-ranking officials during the cleanup operations may indicate that additional senior officers were among the casualties, beyond those initially reported.

The attack targeted a site believed to be the residence of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to Defense Express, with claims that an underground command post was located on the property. The command post was reportedly used by Russian and North Korean commanders operating in the region.

The missile strike marks the first use of Storm Shadow missiles against Russian territory by Ukrainian forces. Geolocation footage released by the Ukrainian military, showing the aftermath of the attack near Mariino, has confirmed the damage.

Ukrainian forces, utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS), coordinated the strike and reported its successful execution as part of a wider military operation to disrupt enemy command structures in the Kursk area.