According to the US government
North Korea appears to be losing hundreds of soldiers in the Kursk region
Copy the current link
Around 10,000 soldiers from North Korea are deployed for Russia in the war. But according to the US government, the price is high and the units are suffering heavy losses.
According to a US government official, the North Korean units fighting on Russia’s side have suffered heavy losses in battles with the Ukrainian army in the Russian border region of Kursk. “According to our latest estimate, North Korea has suffered several hundred casualties,” said the US military official in Washington on Tuesday. The government representative continued that the number of victims he cited included slightly injured soldiers as well as soldiers killed.
Soldiers of all ranks are affected. “These are not battle-hardened troops. They have never been in combat before,” he continued.
Russia and North Korea increased their military cooperation after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022. In June, the two countries signed a defense pact that came into force this month. From mid-October there were the first reports of North Korean soldiers being sent to Russia. According to US government estimates, North Korea sent around 10,000 soldiers to reinforce Russian units.
North Korean soldiers die for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the weekend that Russia was using North Korean soldiers “to a considerable extent” in the fighting in Kursk. They fought in mixed units alongside Russian soldiers. On Monday, Ukrainian military intelligence said at least 30 North Korean soldiers had been killed or injured there.
The Ukrainian army invaded the Kursk region in August and occupied several hundred square kilometers there. In the meantime, however, they had to give up a large part of the conquered territory. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian army leadership said Russia had launched an “intense” counteroffensive in the region.
AFP
lw
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.