North Korean Troops Engaged in Actual Combat in Ukraine
Casualties Mount as North Korean Troops Continue to Support Russia’s War Effort
At least 100 North Korean troops deployed to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine have been killed since entering combat in December, a South Korean lawmaker revealed today. The North Korean troops, who were sent to reinforce the Russian military, have been engaged in actual combat in Ukraine’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have seized territory this year.
North Korea’s Military Ties with Russia Strengthen
Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s war effort, including to the Kursk border region. The North Korean troops are being utilized as expendable frontline assault units, and their lack of capability to counter drone attacks has resulted in a high number of casualties.
Burden or Asset?
Within the Russian military, complaints have reportedly surfaced that the North Korean troops, due to their lack of knowledge about drones, are more of a burden than an asset. The North Korean troops have suffered "several hundred" casualties fighting Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region, according to a senior US military official.
Potential Arms
South Korea and Ukraine have said they will deepen security cooperation in response to the "threat" posed by the deployment of North Korean troops. However, there has been no mention of potential arms shipments from Seoul to Kyiv. South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that Seoul is "not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons" to Ukraine, which would mark a major shift to a long-standing policy barring the sale of weapons to countries in active conflict.
Conclusion
The deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine has resulted in a significant number of casualties. The North Korean troops are being utilized as expendable frontline assault units, and their lack of capability to counter drone attacks has resulted in a high number of casualties. The strengthening of military ties between North Korea and Russia is a cause for concern, and the potential for arms shipments from South Korea to Ukraine is a developing situation that requires close monitoring.
FAQs
Q: How many North Korean troops have been killed in Ukraine?
A: At least 100 North Korean troops have been killed since entering combat in December.
Q: What is the purpose of the North Korean troops in Ukraine?
A: The North Korean troops are being utilized as expendable frontline assault units to support Russia’s war effort.
Q: What is the current situation with North Korea’s military ties with Russia?
A: North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force this month.
Q: What is the potential for arms shipments from South Korea to Ukraine?
A: South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that Seoul is "not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons" to Ukraine, which would mark a major shift to a long-standing policy barring the sale of weapons to countries in active conflict.