South Korea Reveals Heavy North Korean Casualties in Ukraine Conflict

At least 100 North Korean soldiers have been reported killed and 1,000 injured in Ukraine’s Kursk region, according to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun. Factors contributing to these losses include inexperience with drone warfare and unfamiliarity with the terrain. There are signs that North Korea plans to send more troops to assist Russian forces, which already includes over 10,000 soldiers. Neither North Korea nor Russia has officially confirmed these reports.

Recent reports from South Korea indicate significant losses among North Korean troops participating in Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. According to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, at least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed, with around 1,000 more suffering injuries during intense clashes against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This information was relayed to reporters following a confidential briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Lee attributed these heavy casualties to a combination of factors including the North Korean soldiers’ inexperience with drone operations and their unfamiliarity with the vast terrain in which they are engaged. Furthermore, Lee noted inconsistencies between the NIS’s casualty figures and those from a US military official, who reported several hundred North Korean losses. He explained, “There was a report that there have been at least 100 deaths and the injured are approaching 1,000.”

There are indications that North Korea is planning to deploy additional troops to bolster its presence. This aligns with assessments from both US and Ukrainian officials, who have stated that North Korean casualties are substantial and that they are being utilized in large numbers by Russia to gain ground in the region. Official estimates suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to assist Russia, along with extensive arms supplies that include artillery shells and anti-tank weaponry.

Although there has been no formal acknowledgment from either North Korea or Russia regarding these troop deployments or the shipments of military equipment, the matter remains of keen interest for international observers. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang, establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which reportedly included mutual defense commitments. Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated on December 18 that losses among the North Korean forces have exceeded 200 soldiers recently. This report is corroborated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted in mid-December that North Korean troops have commenced their involvement in the combat in Kursk.

In summary, the situation involving North Korean military involvement in Ukraine has escalated, with South Korea reporting significant casualties among their troops. Analysts point to inexperience and logistical challenges contributing to the losses. Additional troop deployments are anticipated as North Korea continues to support Russia’s efforts in the region. The implications of this military collaboration between Russia and North Korea will surely have lasting impacts as the conflict progresses.

Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua