Ukrainian Intelligence Reports North Korean Casualties in Kursk Region
Ukrainian intelligence has revealed that at least 30 North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces have either been killed or wounded in the Kursk region of western Russia. This information marks the first time Kyiv has provided such detailed insights into North Korean losses since these troops were deployed to support Moscow's military efforts.
On December 16, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian military, known as GUR, issued a statement confirming that North Korean units suffered significant casualties near the villages of Martynovka, Plekhovo, and Vorozhba. This report highlights the ongoing conflict in the area as Ukrainian forces continue their operations.
An investigative unit from RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, called Skhemy Schemes, has received photographs from Ukrainian military sources that purportedly show the bodies of deceased soldiers in Kursk, including those identified as North Korean fighters. However, RFE/RL has not been able to independently verify these claims, and Russia has yet to comment on the reported losses.
The Ukrainian military has been actively engaged in the Kursk region since August, managing to maintain control over certain areas amidst the conflict. As of October, Russia began deploying thousands of North Korean soldiers to the region, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stating on December 14 that the Kremlin was increasing the number of North Korean troops in a bid to counter the advancing Ukrainian forces.
Analysts have speculated that Russian casualties in the ongoing war could exceed 600,000, which adds to President Vladimir Putin's challenges in avoiding a politically contentious second mass mobilization. Current reports indicate that over 11,000 North Korean soldiers are now stationed in southwestern Russia.
In a related development, an informed source from Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) informed RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service that Ukrainian forces utilized drones last week to target and obliterate a Russian ammunition depot located in the occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
In another instance, Russia launched 49 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in the early hours of December 16. Ukrainian officials confirmed that 27 of these drones were intercepted, though 19 lost visibility, and three remained within Ukrainian airspace. Fortunately, the Ukrainian military reported that none of the drones caused any damage or injuries during this latest assault.
The evolving situation in eastern Europe continues to be fraught with tension as both Ukrainian and Russian forces engage in military operations that draw in international actors like North Korea into their strategic calculations.
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