In a significant development amid ongoing tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy has asserted that North Korean military personnel have returned to assist Russian forces in the Kursk region. This statement follows a recent report from South Korea’s intelligence service, which indicated that North Korean troops had been withdrawn from front-line positions.
Conflicting reports on troop deployment
President Zelenskyy took to X to share his concerns, stating,
“Russia has once again deployed North Korean soldiers alongside its troops.”
This declaration contradicts the findings of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, which suggested that North Korean soldiers had been pulled back due to significant casualties incurred during combat.
According to Yonhap, the South Korean state news agency, the intelligence service reported last week that the North Korean troops had not participated in any fighting since mid-January, indicating a potential retreat from the battlefield.
Estimated troop numbers and casualties
In his report, Zelenskyy mentioned that he had received detailed updates from the Commander-in-Chief regarding the operational situation in both the Donetsk and Kursk regions. He noted,
“Today, I received a report from the Commander-in-Chief on the situation in the Donetsk and the Kursk regions. In the areas of the Kursk operation, new assaults have taken place—Russia has once again deployed North Korean soldiers alongside its troops.”
The intelligence estimates indicate that North Korea has dispatched approximately 11,000 troops to support the Russian military in its conflict with Ukraine. However, the price of this support appears steep, with around 300 North Korean soldiers reported killed and about 2,700 suffering injuries.
Interestingly, North Korea has not publicly acknowledged the deployment of its soldiers to bolster Russia’s military efforts, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty. Earlier this year, Ukrainian forces detained two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, raising further questions about the extent of North Korea’s involvement in the ongoing conflict.