North Korean troops have faced over 5,000 casualties in the Kursk region, as reported by the British defense ministry. This includes nearly half of the 11,000 troops sent to support the war against Ukraine. Major losses stem from attritional assaults, and any further deployment would require leadership approval from Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin.
According to the British defense ministry, North Korean troops have suffered more than 5,000 casualties while engaging Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia. An intelligence update revealed that nearly a third of these casualties resulted from killed in action, reflecting a significant loss from the initial deployment of 11,000 troops sent by North Korea to support the war against Ukraine.
The report indicated that the high casualty rate experienced by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is primarily due to extensive dismounted assaults that are highly attritional in nature. It was noted that North Korean and Russian forces have recently gained territory in the Kursk area; however, operations are limited to this region. Any decision regarding deployment into Ukrainian territory would require approval from both Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The South Korean military previously estimated that North Korea incurred approximately 4,000 casualties from the original 11,000 troops dispatched, with reports suggesting that an additional 3,000 troops were sent to Russia during January and February of this year.
The British defense ministry’s report highlights the severe toll on North Korean forces involved in the conflict in Ukraine, with over 5,000 casualties reported in the Kursk region. This figure reflects a substantial loss from their initial troop deployment, emphasizing the destructive nature of their engagement. Ongoing operations remain confined to the Kursk area, pending higher leadership decisions regarding further involvement in Ukraine.
Original Source: en.yna.co.kr
