North Korean Troops Face Heavy Losses in Ukraine Conflict Amid Ongoing Battles

South Korean MP reports that over 100 North Korean soldiers have died and around 1,000 have been wounded in clashes in Ukraine’s Kursk region, attributing losses to inexperience and terrain unfamiliarity. There are signs of additional troop deployments from North Korea as casualties continue to mount. The details follow a strategic military partnership between North Korea and Russia.

Recent intelligence reports from South Korea indicate that the conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant casualties among North Korean soldiers. According to South Korean MP, Lee Seong-kweun, at least 100 North Korean troops have been killed, while approximately 1,000 more have sustained injuries during intense clashes with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This information was shared with Reuters after a confidential briefing with the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Lee attributed the heavy losses primarily to the North Korean soldiers’ lack of experience with drone warfare and their unfamiliarity with the open terrain where the fighting occurred. The National Intelligence Service’s analysis offered a more cautious estimate compared to a U.S. military official who reported several hundred casualties. Lee highlighted the estimate, stating, “There was a report that there have been at least 100 deaths and the injured are approaching 1,000.”

Significantly, there are indications that North Korea is preparing for further troop deployments. This aligns with statements from U.S. and Ukrainian officials, who mentioned that North Korean forces have suffered heavy losses while assisting Russian military operations in the Kursk area. Reports suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to bolster Russia’s effort in the ongoing conflict.

In addition to troop contributions, North Korea has allegedly dispatched more than 10,000 containers filled with military supplies including artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, mechanized howitzers, and rocket launchers. Despite this, neither North Korea nor Russia has made any official acknowledgment of these troop movements or arms shipments.

The situation escalated earlier this year when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang in June, solidifying a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Kim Jong Un that reportedly includes a mutual defense agreement. More recently, on December 18, Andrii Kovalenko, director of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that losses within the North Korean military in the Kursk region have exceeded 200.

Adding to this narrative, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on December 16 that Russia has increasingly engaged North Korean soldiers in the fighting. This development continues to raise questions about the scale of North Korea’s involvement in the conflict and the ramifications it might have on international relations and military dynamics in the region.

In summary, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to substantial losses for North Korean forces assisting Russia, with latest estimates noting at least 100 dead and 1,000 injured. The lack of experience among these soldiers, particularly regarding drone operations and unfamiliarity with terrain, has exacerbated casualties. Furthermore, indications of further troop deployments from North Korea could escalate the situation as international responses to this military collaboration remain to be seen.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua