North Korean troops are reportedly aiding Russian operations in Kursk, recapturing territory from Ukraine. An estimated 10,000-12,000 troops may have been deployed, although this remains unconfirmed. Casualties among North Korean soldiers have been reported, and Ukraine views these developments as potentially advantageous for future negotiations.
Recent reports indicate that North Korean troops have been instrumental in Russia’s recent territorial gains in the Kursk region, a border area where Ukrainian forces sought to assert influence amid peace talks. According to information from Ukrainian and South Korean officials, North Korea reportedly deployed between 10,000 to 12,000 servicemen to southern Russia to engage in combat against Ukrainian forces. However, both Moscow and Pyongyang have yet to officially confirm these troop movements.
In the last few days, a combination of Russian and North Korean forces has successfully regained control of multiple villages in the Kursk region, a locale that had witnessed significant Ukrainian incursions in August. Andriy Kovalenko, a member of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, stated that North Korean troops are advancing in organized formations, described as “columns,” as Russian military efforts intensify to diminish Ukraine’s presence in the area.
Ukrainian news editor Yurii Butusov recently outlined an instance in which two battalions of North Korean soldiers launched an assault on Ukrainian positions in Kursk. He detailed that their objective was to obstruct a Ukrainian foothold along the border. Despite the offensive, these North Korean battalions incurred heavy casualties during the engagement.
Furthermore, South Korea’s intelligence has reported that approximately 300 North Korean troops dispatched to assist in the conflict have been killed, with an estimated 2,700 others injured. These figures are yet to be substantiated by external sources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked that Russian forces have reintegrated North Korean soldiers who are contributing to renewed offensives in the region.
Amidst these developments, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, mentioned that the Kursk incursion might enhance Ukraine’s bargaining position in any forthcoming negotiations with Russia, especially as talks occur in Saudi Arabia involving Ukrainian and U.S. representatives.
The integration of North Korean troops into the conflict in Kursk highlights the unfolding dynamics between North Korea and Russia during the ongoing war against Ukraine. The deployment of these troops, despite heavy reported losses, underscores the increasing alliance between both nations, prompted by international sanctions and diplomatic isolation. As military engagements persist, the geopolitical landscape may change, influencing potential negotiations in the future.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
