Ukraine’s military intelligence has reported that North Korean troops, who are believed to be assisting Russian forces in the ongoing conflict, have sustained significant casualties in the Kursk border region. This revelation comes in the wake of an announcement from Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency, which indicated that at least 30 North Korean soldiers have been either killed or injured in recent skirmishes around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka.
In addition to these casualties, the GUR also noted that three North Korean servicemen are currently unaccounted for near the village of Kurilovka. The Pentagon has corroborated these claims, with spokesperson Major-General Pat Ryder confirming that U.S. intelligence has observed indications of North Korean involvement in combat operations resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Despite the claims made by Ukraine and supported by U.S. intelligence, both Russia and North Korea have remained reticent about the specific number of casualties. The Kremlin has referred all inquiries regarding troop losses to its Ministry of Defence, which has not provided clarity on the issue.
Intelligence from South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine suggests that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia to bolster its military capabilities against Ukrainian forces. Most of these troops have been concentrated in the Kursk region, an area that has faced partial control from Ukrainian forces following a strategic incursion in August.
While the deployment of North Korean soldiers has not been officially recognized by either Pyongyang or Moscow, the two nations have notably strengthened their military collaboration in recent months. A mutual defense treaty introduced during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to North Korea formalizes a commitment for mutual military assistance in the event of aggression against either nation.
As the conflict persists, Russia has increasingly turned to foreign fighters to augment its frontline forces amidst rising troop casualties. Reports indicate that individuals from South Asian countries such as Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka have been recruited as mercenaries, often under misleading pretenses regarding their role and compensation. Some of these mercenaries have expressed concerns about being sent to the front lines without proper military training or adequate support, highlighting the challenges faced by foreign troops in the conflict.
The ongoing war has prompted both Russia and Ukraine to maintain a veil of secrecy over the exact toll of military personnel, with independent media estimates suggesting substantial losses for both sides over the course of the war since its escalation in February 2022.
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