A few hundred North Korean soldiers who have been fighting alongside Russian troops in the Kursk border region against Ukraine have suffered casualties, according to a senior military official on Tuesday.
The official did not specify the exact number of casualties, but mentioned that the North Korean forces lack combat experience, which has contributed to the casualties they have sustained. This marks the first significant estimate of North Korean casualties, following Ukraine’s announcement a few weeks ago that North Korea had deployed 10,000 to 12,000 troops to support Russia in the ongoing war.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided a U.S. assessment of the situation in the war. The White House and Pentagon confirmed on Monday that the North Korean forces have been actively engaged in combat, primarily in infantry roles. They have been fighting alongside Russian units and, at times, operating independently in the Kursk region.
The battle in Kursk between Ukrainian and Russian forces has been intense, with Russia managing to reclaim approximately 20% of the territory previously held by Kyiv. The official noted that Ukraine may be able to maintain control of the area for a while, depending on the overall progress of the conflict, including the effectiveness of Kyiv’s long-range attacks.
Published – December 18, 2024 04:36 am IST
