North Korean troops suffer losses on Russia's Kursk front: Ukraine

KYIV,— Ukrainian officials reported on Monday that North Korean units supporting Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kursk region sustained significant losses over the weekend.

According to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, at least 30 North Korean soldiers were either killed or wounded during clashes near several villages in the Russian region.

This statement follows comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who on Saturday indicated that Russia had begun deploying North Korean troops in large numbers to assist in assaults in the Kursk area.

This marks the first time that Kyiv has disclosed such specific casualty figures involving North Korean forces. The reported casualties took place near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka in the Kursk region, although no direct evidence was provided to support these claims.

The figures could not be independently verified, and the Russian government has yet to respond to Ukraine’s assertions. The Kremlin referred questions to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, which has not issued any statements regarding the presence of North Korean soldiers in the region.

Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of North Korean forces in the conflict. Initial reports from Pyongyang dismissed claims of troop deployments as “fake news,” although a North Korean official later stated that any such actions would be legal.

According to Ukraine’s military intelligence, the North Korean forces have suffered heavy casualties, prompting a replacement of their fallen soldiers with fresh recruits. These replacements are reportedly drawn from the 94th Separate Brigade of the North Korean Army, which is said to be continuing combat operations in the Kursk region.

The presence of North Korean soldiers in the conflict was first reported by Ukraine in October 2024, and since then, Kyiv has claimed that these forces have participated in various clashes, with some casualties already reported.

Ukrainian authorities estimate that around 11,000 North Koreans have been deployed to support Russian forces, supplementing the tens of thousands of Russian troops already engaged in the region.

Kursk, located in western Russia, has been a key focus for Ukrainian forces, who have carved out a small enclave there since launching a cross-border incursion in August.

Ukrainian troops are working to hold this territory, which could potentially serve as leverage in any future peace talks.

The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, has led to widespread instability in the region, threatening to upend Europe’s post-Cold War security order.

While Russia has focused on advancing its military objectives, the involvement of foreign troops—such as North Koreans, Chechen fighters, and Yemeni fighters—adds a complex layer to an already volatile situation.

The U.S. and Western allies have continued to support Ukraine through military aid and sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s war efforts, but the conflict shows no signs of a swift resolution.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)