Since their first combat engagement in early December, North Korean troops have suffered heavy losses. Ukrainian and U.S. officials estimate that about a third of the deployed forces have been killed or wounded.
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi recently stated that North Korean casualties continue to grow, with nearly half of the troops either killed or injured. Despite these losses, he emphasized that North Korean troops remain "highly motivated, well-trained, and brave."
Read more: North Korea to Send Second Wave of Troops to russia as First Units Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk
Unlike russian forces, North Korean troops are reportedly advancing without armored vehicles. The russian military has allocated specific areas for them to conduct assaults in the Kursk region, using them primarily as infantry. Celeste Wallander, former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, noted that these troops are trained for special operations but are being deployed in conventional combat roles.
North Korea's involvement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war. With 1.2 million active personnel, its military is one of the largest standing armies in the world. As russia prepares for further offensives, the expected arrival of additional North Korean troops underscores moscow’s increasing reliance on foreign forces to sustain its war effort.
Read more: Ukraine's SOF Warriors Eliminate North Korean Soldiers, Reveal Their Documents (Photos)
