North Korean soldiers have reportedly lost their lives while engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, according to U.S. intelligence sources. This marks the first reported fatalities since it was disclosed that North Korea dispatched approximately 10,000 troops to support Russia’s military efforts in October.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the GUR, indicated that at least 30 North Korean troops have been either killed or wounded during clashes over the recent weekend.
The North Korean contingent, possessing no prior combat experience, is believed to have spent their initial weeks in Russia undergoing training and performing support duties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces have begun utilizing a “significant number” of North Korean soldiers in their operations in Kursk, a region partially under Ukrainian control since an incursion in August.
Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that U.S. assessments indicate North Korean troops have actively participated in combat alongside Russian forces in Kursk, resulting in both fatalities and injuries. Although specific numbers were not disclosed, Ryder noted that these troops have been in combat for just over a week.
Ryder suggested that North Koreans are primarily engaged in infantry roles, with their deployment currently limited to the Kursk region rather than extending into Ukraine itself. Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces have made advancements in eastern Ukraine in recent months.
The GUR reported that North Korean casualties occurred in the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka over the weekend. President Zelensky shared drone footage showing individuals purported to be North Korean troops taking cover during an assault on Ukrainian positions. He further revealed video evidence suggesting that Russian forces attempted to mask the presence of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield by burning the faces of the deceased.
Zelensky emphasized the ongoing efforts of Ukraine’s Defense Forces and intelligence to assess the full extent of the losses among Russian units that include North Koreans, asserting that “there is not a single reason for North Koreans to die in this war.” Meanwhile, the Kremlin has redirected inquiries regarding the deaths of North Korean troops to the Russian Ministry of Defence, which has yet to comment on the matter.
