Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the re-deployment of North Korean soldiers in a new round of offensives in the ongoing Ukraine war, heightening tensions amid significant battlefield casualties.
North Korean Soldiers Re-enter Ukraine’s Front Line Amid Growing Conflict
North Korean Soldiers Re-enter Ukraine’s Front Line Amid Growing Conflict
President Zelensky announces resurgence of North Korean troops supporting Russian forces in Ukraine's Kursk region following increased casualty rates.
In a recent video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that North Korean troops have returned to the front lines in Russia's Kursk region. This development follows a previous withdrawal last month amid heavy losses. Zelensky indicated that these soldiers are engaging in new assaults in areas partially occupied by Ukraine and mentioned substantial casualties for both Russian and North Korean forces.
According to Western intelligence reports from January, at least 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to support Russia had perished over the previous three months. However, North Korea and Russia have remained tight-lipped about these developments. A Ukrainian special forces spokesman stated that North Korean troops had been absent from the region for around three weeks, likely due to severe combat losses.
Military analysts suggest North Korean soldiers may struggle with modern warfare tactics, making them particularly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone strikes. Continued high casualty rates are deemed unsustainable for their forces, especially after bilateral ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were strengthened through a security and defense agreement.
Moscow's military has not disclosed detailed casualty figures since September 2022, when it reported 5,937 deaths. In stark contrast, Zelensky estimated that Russian military losses could be as high as 350,000, with other sources indicating the number may be much larger. Ukraine's military losses were placed at around 45,100, though many experts believe the true figure to be significantly higher.
Ukrainian forces successfully launched an offensive in Kursk six months ago, reclaiming substantial territory from Russian control. Recently, Zelensky announced a new Ukrainian advance of 2.5 km in Kursk, although Russian military claims counter that these assaults were repelled.
In addition, Russian forces declared victory in capturing the strategic town of Toretsk in Donetsk, although reports suggest that fighting continues in the area. Amid these developments, former US President Donald Trump expressed hopes for a meeting with President Zelensky and President Putin to discuss ending the war.
