North Korean forces have suffered over 5,000 casualties in Kursk while fighting Ukrainian forces, according to Britain’s defense ministry. This number represents nearly half of the 11,000 troops sent last year for support. Recent estimates indicate high casualty rates are likely due to intense assault tactics, with operational decisions needing the approval of North Korea’s and Russia’s leaders.
According to Britain’s defense ministry, North Korean troops have suffered over 5,000 casualties in the Kursk region while engaging Ukrainian forces. This casualty figure represents nearly half of the original deployment of 11,000 troops sent to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine last year. The report indicates that around one-third of these casualties were fatalities, as of the latest intelligence update released last month.
The ministry notes that these high casualty rates are likely due to the DPRK’s strategy of launching large-scale, dismounted assaults on enemy positions. Despite these losses, North Korean and Russian forces have reportedly made some territorial gains in Kursk recently. The operations remain limited to this region, with any further deployment into Ukraine requiring approval from the leadership of North Korea and Russia.
Recently, South Korea’s military estimated that North Korea incurred approximately 4,000 casualties among the 11,000 troops sent last year and reported that North Korea deployed an additional 3,000 troops to Russia in early 2025. This escalation highlights the ongoing military engagement and the significant toll on North Korean forces.
The report highlights the substantial casualties that North Korean troops have faced in the ongoing conflict, amounting to over 5,000, nearly half of their initial deployment. The high attrition rates are attributed to aggressive tactics on the battlefield. Both North Korean and Russian forces are making some territorial advancements, but the strategic decisions regarding further involvement will require leadership consensus from Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin.
Original Source: en.yna.co.kr
