North Korean troops have reportedly suffered more than 5,000 casualties in Kursk while fighting against Ukrainian forces, according to the British defense ministry. This represents nearly half of the 11,000 troops sent to Russia last year. Most casualties are a result of high-intensity ground assaults, raising concerns about military operations and future deployment decisions requiring leadership approval from both Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin.
According to a recent report by the British defense ministry, North Korean troops have suffered over 5,000 casualties in the Kursk region, where they have been engaged in combat with Ukrainian forces. As of last month, it was indicated that about one-third of these casualties were fatalities resulting from the conflict. This figure represents nearly half of the 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia last year to support military operations against Ukraine.
The intelligence update reveals that the high casualty rates among North Korean forces stem from extensive, attritional ground assaults. The report stipulates that both North Korean and Russian military units have achieved territorial advancements in Kursk; however, North Korea’s military activities appear to be restricted to this area. Any decision for deployment into Ukrainian territory would necessitate approval from both North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a previous assessment, South Korea’s military estimated that about 4,000 of the originally dispatched 11,000 North Korean troops have incurred casualties. It is also believed that North Korea may have sent an additional 3,000 troops to Russia during January and February of this year, further complicating the manpower situation in the ongoing conflict.
The ongoing conflict in the Kursk region illustrates the severe toll on North Korean military forces, with over 5,000 casualties reported. This accounts for nearly half of the original troop deployment, reflecting the challenges faced by these forces in the combat against Ukrainian troops. The complexities of military decisions between North Korea and Russia also add layers to the unfolding events in this significant geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: en.yna.co.kr
