(Reuters): Ukraine claimed heavy casualties among North Korean forces defending Russia in the Kursk area on Monday. During the weekend, at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured in battles close to Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka, according to Ukraine's military intelligence. For the first time, Ukraine has disclosed such specific details of North Korean casualties.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier said Russia has started sending large numbers of North Korean troops, especially for attacks in the Kursk area, which has been the center of military operations. In August, Ukraine launched a cross-border invasion of this region, and since then, Ukrainian forces have been fighting to keep their position.
Ukraine's military intelligence provided this update, which is the first specific report of North Korean losses on such a scale. The agency did not offer independent verification of the figures, and Russia has not commented on or confirmed the presence of North Korean troops. Initially, Pyongyang had dismissed claims of such deployments as "fake news," but a North Korean official later stated that any deployment would be lawful.
Russian forces have restocked their assault groups with new people as a result of the casualties, the Ukrainian statement also disclosed. In particular, the North Korean army is sending soldiers from its 94th separate brigade to the Kursk area to resume active combat activities. But no proof was offered to support these assertions.
In October, Ukraine first claimed that North Korean personnel were there in the Kursk region. It then indicated fighting and injuries, although it did not disclose specifics. According to Ukraine, approximately 11,000 North Koreans are currently fighting alongside tens of thousands of Russian soldiers in the area.
Even though Russia controls a sizable chunk of Ukraine, the Ukrainian military has established an enclave in the Kursk region, which is considered a crucial strategic location. This stance has been upheld by Ukraine, and it may prove to be a valuable negotiating tool in any future peace talks.
This continuing circumstance emphasizes how foreign powers are becoming more involved in the conflict, especially North Korea's support of Russian military actions. The relationships between North Korea, Russia, and Ukraine are expected to change further as the conflict rages on, with both diplomatic and military repercussions.
