Approximately 1,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been killed and 3,000 wounded while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to the BBC’s Russian service, citing unnamed Western officials.
North Korea is believed to have deployed thousands of troops last fall to assist the Russian military in pushing back Ukrainian forces in the southwestern Kursk region. However, neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine. When questioned on the matter, Russian President Vladimir Putin neither confirmed nor denied the reports, instead redirecting criticism toward Western military aid to Ukraine.
Reports of Captured Troops and Casualties
Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean soldiers. One of the prisoners reportedly informed interrogators of significant casualties among North Korean troops.
The total estimated casualty count for North Korean forces, including those killed, wounded, missing, or captured, has reached 4,000, representing 36% of the deployed force. The BBC noted uncertainty regarding where injured North Korean soldiers are receiving medical treatment and whether Pyongyang plans to send additional reinforcements.
On Wednesday, the New York Times, citing an unnamed senior U.S. defense official, reported that Russia expects North Korea to send additional troops “within the next two months.”
Accusations of Deployment
Ukraine, along with the United States and South Korea, has accused North Korea of deploying over 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war effort. South Korea reported in mid-January that 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed and 2,700 wounded since their deployment, reflecting a high casualty rate.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, citing intelligence reports, attributed the heavy losses to the North Korean soldiers’ inexperience in modern warfare and their poor strategic utilization by Russian forces.
Russia-North Korea Defense Pact
Last year, Russia and North Korea signed a significant defense pact committing both nations to mutual assistance in the event of external aggression. The agreement has raised concerns among Western and regional powers regarding North Korea’s expanding military involvement in Ukraine.
