Several hundred North Korean troops have been killed or injured while fighting for Russia against Ukraine in the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise offensive in August. The number of casualties is high due to the fact that Pyongyang’s soldiers are not battle-hardened. North Korea has reportedly sent around 10,000 soldiers to aid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts in exchange for weapons and military personnel, with Moscow sending oil to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim’s troops are stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, helping Putin’s army recapture territory lost to Ukraine earlier in the summer. The North Korean forces are primarily fighting in infantry positions alongside Russian units, according to the White House and Pentagon.
Despite the significant losses suffered by Moscow, with an estimated 1,200 soldiers dying or being injured daily, North Korea’s intentions to send more troops to Russia are unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently admitted to significant casualties on his side as well, with 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term in the White House on January 20, questions remain about the future of the conflict in Ukraine, with Trump having promised to bring an end to the war without providing a clear plan on how to achieve this. A senior US defense official suggested that the Defense Department is unlikely to send the pledged $5.6 billion in weapons and equipment stock to Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration in January.
The disclosure of North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine comes after Ukrainian and Western sources confirmed their presence and involvement in the conflict. Footage posted by President Zelenskyy purportedly shows North Korean troops in action, leading to questions about their reasons for being involved in the war. With Russia and Ukraine both suffering significant casualties, the conflict in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight. The US government faces uncertainty as Trump prepares to take office for a second term, with questions about the future of US support for Ukraine lingering. The impact of North Korean forces in the conflict raises concerns about the escalation and international involvement in the region. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to fight for control of the territory.
