South Korea Reports Heavy Losses Among North Korean Troops in Ukraine Conflict
South Korea has reported that at least 100 North Korean soldiers were killed and 1,000 wounded fighting in Ukraine’s Kursk region. These casualties reflect the troops’ lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. This aligns with U.S. and Ukrainian assertions regarding heavy North Korean losses as Russia employs them for military operations. Official acknowledgment from North Korea or Russia on these troop movements remains absent.
Recent reports from South Korea indicate significant casualties among North Korean troops involved in the war in Ukraine. At least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed and around 1,000 wounded during clashes with Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, according to South Korean MP Lee Seong-kweun. This information comes from intelligence provided in a closed briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Lee pointed out that these heavy losses stem from a combination of North Korean soldiers’ limited combat experience and a lack of familiarity with the local terrain and drone operations. He emphasized the contrast between the reported fatalities and estimates from a US military official, which suggested several hundred losses. According to Lee, the variance arises from the NIS’s cautious interpretation of the situation. “There was a report that there have been at least 100 deaths and the injured are approaching 1,000,” he remarked.
Additionally, Lee hinted at the possibility of North Korea preparing for further troop deployments. His statement aligns with assertions made by US and Ukrainian officials regarding the significant North Korean casualties, with Russia utilizing these troops as part of its strategy in the Kursk region. Reports indicate that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to assist Russian forces in the conflict. Furthermore, the North is believed to have shipped more than 10,000 containers filled with military supplies, including artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, and rocket launchers.
Despite these developments, neither North Korea nor Russia has officially acknowledged the troop deployments or the exchanges of military equipment. The context of this involvement is underscored by a recent visit from Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang in June, where a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement was signed with Kim Jong Un, establishing a mutual defense pact between the two nations.
In a related comment, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, reported that as of December 18, losses for the North Korean army in the Kursk region may have already surpassed 200 troops. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also indicated on December 16 that Russian forces have started integrating North Korean soldiers into their military operations in the area.
In summary, South Korean intelligence reports indicate heavy losses among North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, with casualties reportedly exceeding 100 killed and around 1,000 injured. The situation highlights the challenges faced by these soldiers in adapting to unfamiliar combat scenarios. Moreover, ongoing troop deployments and military support from North Korea suggest rising military collaboration with Russia, following a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
