Ukrainian President Zelensky reports North Korean troops have returned to the Kursk region front lines after a period of withdrawal due to casualties. Current intelligence suggests significant losses among North Korean forces, with implications for their operational effectiveness. The situation continues to evolve with ongoing military engagements and the strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that North Korean troops have reappeared on the front lines in Russia’s Kursk region, following previous reports of their withdrawal due to significant losses. In a recent address, Zelensky stated that Russian forces had redeployed North Korean soldiers who were involved in ongoing assaults in Ukrainian-occupied areas. He emphasized that “hundreds of Russian and North Korean military personnel have been destroyed.”
According to Western officials, approximately 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean troops deployed since the start of the conflict have died in the last three months. Notably, North Korea and Russia have not yet provided official comments on these developments. Since the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, reports indicate that Ukrainian special forces had not encountered North Korean troops in Kursk for 21 days, suggesting they had been pulled back following heavy casualties.
The involvement of North Korean troops in the Ukraine conflict aligns with a strengthening partnership between North Korea and Russia, particularly after the two nations forged a security and defence pact. Reports also indicate that North Korea has been supplying Russia with substantial quantities of ammunition and weaponry. Military evaluations have shown that North Korean soldiers lack the preparedness and tactical training necessary for modern warfare, rendering them especially susceptible to Ukrainian drone attacks and battlefield losses.
The reappearance of North Korean troops on the front lines highlights the escalating dynamics of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The sustained casualties reported among North Korean forces pose concerns regarding their viability in combat operations. This development, paired with the continuing military engagements in Ukraine, indicates a complex and evolving situation that warrants close observation.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
