Pentagon confirms casualties among North Korean soldiers in Ukraine-occupied Kursk region

Ukrainian military intelligence and the Pentagon have confirmed that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in the Kursk region of Russia have suffered significant casualties.

The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) reported on December 16 that at least 30 North Korean soldiers were either killed or wounded near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Additionally, the GUR stated that three North Korean servicemen are missing near the village of Kurilovka.

Pentagon spokesperson Major-General Pat Ryder confirmed the Ukrainian report, stating that the US had detected signs of North Korean soldiers being killed or injured in the fighting.

The Russian Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the casualties. Historically, the Kremlin has been reticent about providing details on losses among its forces and allies.

To recall, according to intelligence from South Korea, the US, and Ukraine, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to support the Russian military on the front lines. Most of these troops are stationed in the Kursk region, which has been partially under Ukrainian control since Kyiv's surprise incursion into Russian territory in August.

Analysts suggest that the North Korean soldiers may be facing difficulties due to limited combat experience and language barriers. Despite this, the deployment, though not officially confirmed by either Pyongyang or Moscow, follows a broader trend of growing military cooperation between the two nations.

This includes a mutual defence treaty signed in June during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, which commits both countries to provide military assistance in the event of aggression.

By Aghakazim Guliyev