North Korea Loses More Than 1000 Troops in Single Week: US [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Published Dec 28, 2024 at 5:04 AM EST


North Korean troops fighting in Russia's Kursk region are facing mass casualties, the U.S. has said.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Friday that 1,000 North Korean troops had been "killed or wounded" in the last week fighting against Ukraine. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment by email.

Why It Matters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has contributed to his war effort first through munitions and weapons and now via personnel. Estimates vary, but between 10,000 and 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to fight alongside Putin's forces in Russia's Kursk region where Ukraine staged a surprise incursion on August 6.

The first confirmed battles between North Korean and Ukrainian troops took place on November 5. Ukraine has said that the North Korean contingent makes up a significant proportion of around 50,000 troops Moscow has deployed to the border region where Kyiv has been losing ground after making swift initial gains.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/russia-north-korea-kursk-casualties-2006888