North Korean Soldiers Suffer Heavy Losses Supporting Russia in Ukraine
WASHINGTON: The White House reported on Friday that North Korean soldiers deployed to assist Russia in the Ukraine conflict are facing devastating losses, as military leaders view them as "expendable." National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby indicated that approximately 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or injured in just one week in the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise attack in August.
According to Kirby, many of these soldiers, sent by Pyongyang to strengthen Russia’s position, are so terrified that they are choosing to take their own lives instead of risking capture. “We believe North Korean forces are making mass attacks against Ukraine, but these tactics have not been successful,” he explained. “In fact, they have led to significant casualties for the North Korean troops.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated that nearly 3,000 North Korean soldiers have suffered either death or injury since their involvement began. South Korea’s intelligence agency corroborated Kirby’s numbers, attributing the high casualty rate to the soldiers’ unfamiliarity with the battlefield and their inability to defend against aerial assaults.
Kirby highlighted, “It’s apparent that both Russian and North Korean military command are treating these troops as disposable, sending them into fruitless attacks against Ukraine’s defenses. They seem to be highly indoctrinated, continuing their assault even when it’s clear it won’t succeed.”
Reports suggest that some North Korean soldiers are taking drastic measures, including suicide, rather than face the possibility of being captured, likely due to fears of repercussions against their families back home.
In light of this situation, South Korea’s military believes that North Korea is aiming to enhance its conventional warfare skills by gathering combat experience from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Recently, North Korean state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year’s message to Kim Jong Un, emphasizing that their bilateral relationship has strengthened following discussions in Pyongyang last June. A significant defense agreement between the two nations took effect in December following the exchange of formal ratification documents.
