North Korean Troops Killed Fighting in Ukraine War, Says US
The United States has reported that North Korean troops were killed fighting Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region, marking a significant escalation in Pyongyang’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
This is the first confirmed instance of North Korean casualties since reports in October suggested around 10,000 troops were sent by North Korea to bolster Russia’s war effort.
Combat Losses Reported in Kursk
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded over the weekend in battles across Kursk villages, including Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka.
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that North Korean troops had “engaged in combat in Kursk alongside Russian forces,” suffering casualties, though specific numbers were not provided.
“The North Koreans appear to be serving in infantry roles, with their involvement so far limited to Kursk,” Ryder said.
Drone Footage Raises Questions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released drone footage on Monday that he claimed showed North Korean troops in combat positions near Kursk. Additional footage allegedly revealed Russian troops attempting to conceal the presence of North Koreans by burning the faces of deceased soldiers.
“There is no single reason for North Koreans to die in this war,” Zelensky stated, calling the use of North Korean soldiers a “dangerous expansion” of the conflict.
International Condemnation
The alleged deaths have drawn widespread condemnation. The EU and nations such as the US, UK, Australia, and South Korea called North Korea’s involvement a “dangerous expansion” with potential consequences for both European and Indo-Pacific security.
Earlier this week, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nine individuals and seven entities for providing financial and military support to North Korea.
Key Takeaways
- Deployment Background: North Korean troops, reportedly lacking prior combat experience, were initially assigned support roles before engaging in direct combat in Kursk.
- Casualty Reports: Ukrainian intelligence suggests North Korean losses occurred during recent battles over the weekend.
- International Response: The involvement of North Korean troops has sparked renewed sanctions and warnings from global powers.
- Internal Link: Explore conflict analysis
- External Link: Read the full report on sanctions
