North Korea is reportedly preparing to send additional troops and military equipment to Russia, despite significant losses among its forces in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast. The move underscores Pyongyang’s deepening involvement in the conflict as an ally to Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on December 23 that over 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in Kursk Oblast, representing roughly a quarter of the 12,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff corroborated this figure, stating that 1,100 North Korean troops have been killed or injured in the region. The Joint Chiefs also noted that North Korea appears to be preparing to send additional troops and possibly military equipment, including loitering munitions, to support Russia’s operations.
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It remains unclear whether North Korea is rotating troops out of Russia or increasing its overall deployment.
Russian authorities are reportedly taking steps to hide the presence of North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) reported that Russian officials are issuing North Korean soldiers fake identification documents with Russian names and listing their birthplace as the Republic of Tuva, a region in southern Siberia.
Ukrainian sources describe minimal interaction between Russian and North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, with no joint training or coordination reported. The language barrier between the two forces continues to hinder operations, creating poor communication and coordination.
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North Korean forces are reportedly tasked with conducting initial assaults on Ukrainian positions, after which Russian troops follow to secure the territory. The lack of effective collaboration is said to be hampering Russia’s combat effectiveness in the region.
Ukrainian sources describe minimal interaction between Russian and North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, with no joint training or coordination reported. The language barrier between the two forces continues to hinder operations, creating poor communication and coordination.
North Korean forces are reportedly tasked with conducting initial assaults on Ukrainian positions, after which Russian troops follow to secure the territory. The lack of effective collaboration is said to be hampering Russia’s combat effectiveness in the region.
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