North Korean forces have reportedly suffered “several hundred” casualties while fighting Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region, according to a senior U.S. military official on Tuesday.
Pyongyang has deployed thousands of troops to support Russia’s war effort, including in the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces reclaimed territory earlier this year.
“Our latest estimate indicates that the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] has suffered several hundred casualties,” the official stated, speaking anonymously. “This includes everything from light wounds to KIA [killed in action],” with soldiers of various ranks among the casualties.
The official noted that the North Korean troops lack combat experience, which has likely contributed to the heavy losses they have faced against Ukrainian forces. “These are not battle-hardened troops. They haven’t been in combat before,” the official added.
North Korean Troops in Kursk Offensive
The disclosure follows comments by Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, who stated that North Korean soldiers have been at the center of Russia’s “intensive offensive” in the Kursk region in recent days.
Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia and North Korea have deepened their military ties. A landmark defense pact signed between the two nations in June came into effect earlier this month.
Experts suggest that North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, views this cooperation as a means to gain advanced technology from Russia while providing his troops with battle experience.
U.S. Aid to Ukraine and Concerns Over Transition
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has continued its strong support for Kyiv, expediting billions of dollars in authorized aid. However, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office next month, concerns are mounting in Ukraine and Europe about the future of U.S. assistance.
Trump has been openly critical of U.S. aid to Ukraine, claiming he could negotiate a ceasefire “within hours” of taking office. Such remarks have heightened fears in Kyiv about the potential loss of critical military support under his administration.
A senior U.S. defense official acknowledged Tuesday that some of the remaining $5.6 billion in drawdown authority for aid might not be fully utilized before the Biden administration ends. “There could be remaining authority that transitions and becomes available for the next administration to use,” the official said.
Context
This development underscores the growing complexity of the conflict, with North Korea’s involvement signaling further escalation in the war. As Kyiv continues to fend off Russian advances bolstered by foreign troops, the future of international support for Ukraine remains a pivotal factor in the ongoing war.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
