North Korean Troops Face High Casualties in Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian forces are actively confronting North Korean troops deployed alongside Russia, with reports suggesting heavy losses for Kim Jong-Un's soldiers. In December 2024, the 1st Battalion of the 8th Ukrainian Special Forces Regiment was tasked with capturing North Korean soldiers in order to counter Kremlin assertions about their involvement in the war.

Since October, Pyongyang has reportedly sent over 11,000 troops to the Kursk region, bolstering the nearly 60,000 Russian soldiers stationed there, according to NATO intelligence sources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy indicated that North Korean forces, having experienced around 4,000 casualties within three months, had returned to combat as of February 7. Interviews with Ukrainian officers suggest that North Koreans are well-trained but exhibit tactics resembling "cannon fodder."

Some Ukrainian soldiers reported a stark contrast between North Korean and Russian tactics, noting that the North Koreans advance aggressively and without sufficient support, which they attribute to ideological motivations rather than combat preparedness. Communication issues between Russian and North Korean forces reportedly hinder their effectiveness, and officers express concerns about the potential if North Korean troops receive better training and support from their Russian counterparts.