North Korean Soldiers in Russian Ranks: Losses in the Kursk Region

In a remarkable and unprecedented incident, North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian troops against Ukrainian units in the Russian region of Kursk. The Pentagon confirmed the clashes and reported significant casualties among the North Korean troops. In the summer, Ukrainian forces advanced towards Kursk, and in October, Kyiv announced that 11,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to support Russian efforts to reclaim the region. Major General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, stated that North Korean soldiers had indeed participated in the hostilities and that there were reports of wounded and killed. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported that North Korean soldiers, combined with Russian naval and airborne forces, conducted attacks around the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka. In response, the Ukrainian forces used suicide drones and heavy artillery, resulting in an estimated 200 losses on the Russian side, including 30 North Koreans killed or wounded. Amid the fighting, Russia attempted to conceal the losses of the North Korean soldiers, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Communication issues due to language barriers also led to severe mistakes, including a 'friendly fire' incident where a North Korean unit mistakenly attacked Chechen allies. Despite the difficulties, North Korean units are reportedly being reinforced with new forces to continue activities in Kursk, according to the GUR. North Korea's involvement complicates the military situation in Kursk, but Zelensky warned of a potential expansion of their deployment to other front sections. Nonetheless, the movements of the Russian forces in recent months remain impressive. Moscow's troops are making significant territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, especially in the Donetsk region, and according to Ukrainian reports, they are only a few kilometers away from the strategically important city of Pokrovsk. Although the Kremlin has not officially confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers in Kursk, President Vladimir Putin hinted in October that they had indeed arrived, emphasizing that he had no doubts about the security agreements with North Korea.