Heavy Casualties for North Korean Troops Fighting in Kursk: Ukraine Reports
The ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe continues to draw in unexpected participants. Ukraine has reported significant losses among North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops during intense weekend clashes in the Russian region of Kursk. These developments mark the evolving dynamics of the war and raise critical questions about the global alliances shaping this conflict.
North Korean Casualties in Fighting near Kursk
At least some North Korean units deployed last month in the Kursk region, according to Ukraine's defense intelligence service, suffered heavy casualties during repeated attacks along the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka-all three being within a radius of few kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border. Ukrainian officials claim that 30 North Korean soldiers were either killed or injured, and three are reported missing.
A video released by a Ukrainian frontline drone unit appears to show the bodies of more than 20 North Korean soldiers in an icy field. The quality of the video has made it impossible to verify their identities. Other drone footage from the area of Plekhovo shows soldiers retreating and pulling casualties on sleds, but it's not clear if the wounded were Russian or North Korean.
North Korean Troops' Role in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously confirmed the involvement of North Korean troops in active combat in Kursk, confirming a number of casualties among them. The Ukrainians believe close to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are now deployed in the area, aiming to shore up Russian efforts toward the recapture of territories lost to Ukraine's August offense.
The recent fighting around Plekhovo-which has been among the fiercest in recent memory-suggests that North Korean infantry units are taking center stage on the battlefield and at the forefront of many ground assaults. Ukrainian officials testify that the North Koreans fight in a manner similar to the Korean War, sometimes in waves of infantrymen who do not take personal survival into consideration.
A Closer Look: The Weekend Battle
Fighting around Plekhovo was particularly intense earlier this month as the Russian and allied North Korean units tried to push Ukrainian forces back toward the border, some four kilometers away. On Saturday, a major assault with North Korean infantry supported by heavy fire from Russian units and electronic warfare targeting Ukrainian drones was reportedly repelled by Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian military blogger Yuriy Butusov said that "the enemy assault groups continued the advance despite colossal losses." He further explained that the North Koreans had good physical fitness and could move quickly, but "demonstrated a complete disregard for the evacuation of the wounded and dead during the assault." The Ukrainian forces have made several counterattacks to take back the lost positions. Still, the situation in Plekhovo remains uncertain.
Strategic Implications
The involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s war against Ukraine signals a deepening of unconventional alliances. Their presence underscores Russia's increasing reliance on foreign reinforcements to maintain momentum in critical regions like Kursk. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s ability to repel these attacks demonstrates the resilience of its forces, even as it faces new challenges posed by a multinational adversary.
The tactics employed by North Korean infantry, being somewhat antiquated, have raised questions regarding their use and effectiveness in modern times. While the waves of soldiers might create an initial surge of momentum, the high casualty rates hint at diminishing returns in longer engagements.
What Lies Ahead?
As the conflict continues to evolve, participation by North Korean forces could have broader geopolitical ramifications. Ukraine's defense intelligence will likely continue to closely monitor their involvement, while the global community watches to see how this development shapes the trajectory of the war.
The situation in Kursk is fluid, with both sides vying for control of key villages. Whether these latest clashes signal a turning point in the region or just one more milestone in the protracted struggle is not yet clear.
For the present, it remains that heavy losses of life among North Korean forces have only underscored the grim costs of war and far-reaching consequences for alliances sealed on the battlefield.