A senior military official revealed on Tuesday that a couple hundred North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk border region have been killed or wounded during battle. While specific casualty numbers were not provided, the official noted that the North Korean forces lack battle-hardened experience, which has contributed to the number of casualties they have faced.
This disclosure marks the first significant estimate of North Korean casualties in the conflict, which began after Ukraine announced the presence of 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops supporting Russia in the nearly three-year war.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to offer a U.S. assessment of the situation, the official confirmed that North Korean forces have been actively engaged in combat on the front lines, primarily in infantry positions. They have been collaborating with Russian units and, at times, operating independently in the Kursk area.
The ongoing battle in Kursk between Ukrainian and Russian forces has been intense, with Russia reportedly reclaiming approximately 20% of the territory previously held by Kyiv. The official suggested that while Ukraine may be able to maintain its position in the region for a period, the outcome will hinge on the overall progress of the conflict, including the effectiveness of Kyiv's long-range strikes.
