There’s one crucial piece of information regarding North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict that has been overlooked. Ukraine’s recent efforts appear to focus on persuading North Korean troops to surrender in exchange for a new life away from the regime. However, until recently, no images had emerged that proved the presence of North Korean soldiers. In fact, the Asian country’s involvement only became official on Tuesday.
First casualties. Reports from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), supported by the Pentagon and several videos, indicate that North Korean troops have suffered their first significant casualties in recent clashes, with at least 30 soldiers wounded or killed. Russia has deployed the North Korean troops to reinforce its forces in the Kursk region. Its deployment reflects a notable shift after months of speculation regarding North Korea’s role in the war.
According to The Washington Post, the North Korean casualties are concentrated near the Russian villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha, and Martynovka. GUR also reported that at least three North Korean soldiers are missing near Kurilovka. Currently, the number of North Korean troops in Kursk ranges from 8,000 to 11,000. Another battalion is located in Russia’s Belgorod region, with the potential to be deployed either to Kursk or another front like Kharkiv.
Inexperienced soldiers. Several videos from Ukraine have documented unusual behavior among North Korean soldiers. They tend to advance in large groups across open fields, making them easy targets for Ukrainian FPV drones, artillery, and other weapons. In contrast to Russian troops, who operate in smaller formations and take cover near tree lines to reduce their exposure, North Koreans seem unaware of modern battlefield tactics.
Ukrainian commanders, including a drone operator known as “Boxer,” told The Washington Post alarming accounts of 40 to 50 North Korean soldiers running across open fields without protection. One Ukrainian officer described them as “a perfect target” for precision weapons. North Korean soldiers, characterized as inexperienced and uncoordinated, face additional challenges due to the language barrier.
Friendly fire incidents. The lack of communication has led to serious incidents of friendly fire. This was evidenced when North Korean troops attacked vehicles belonging to the Akhmat battalion of Chechen fighters, resulting in the deaths of at least eight members, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Despite the ties between Russia and North Korea, language differences have proven to be a significant obstacle.
Ukrainian intelligence also reported that the absence of interpreters has created chaos, with only one translator assigned for every 30 North Korean soldiers. This situation has hindered operational integration and contributed to issues such as the recent attack on Russian vehicles. North Korean defense expert Joseph Bermudez noted that conducting combat operations with allied forces that don’t share a common language “presents real problems.” Although North Korean soldiers have been dispersed among various Russian units, their poor communication with local troops has led to erratic (and deadly) decisions.
Visual evidence and cover-up. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently shared drone footage on Telegram that shows North Korean soldiers taking cover behind trees during an assault on Ukrainian positions. He further claimed that Russian forces are attempting to conceal the presence of North Koreans by burning the faces of those killed on the battlefield. Zelensky sharply criticized North Korea’s involvement in the conflict, saying, “There is not a single reason for North Koreans to die in this war.” He also called their involvement a symptom of “Putin’s madness.”
National security adviser John Kirby confirmed the significant casualties suffered by North Korean troops and emphasized that their deployment reflects the Kremlin’s desperation.
The U.S., the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, and South Korea have strongly condemned the casualties among North Korean soldiers. They describe Pyongyang’s involvement as a “dangerous expansion” that could have serious implications for security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the Treasury Department previously announced new sanctions on nine individuals and seven entities linked to financial and military support for the North Korean regime.
The strategic importance of North Korean deployment. The presence of North Korean troops in the conflict is undoubtedly significant. In the short term, it reinforces Russian military operations and symbolizes a strategic strengthening of the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. In addition to sending soldiers, North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells. Some speculate that North Korea will receive advanced technologies to enhance its nuclear, ballistic, and submarine programs in return.
This military exchange has raised international concerns, with Western countries condemning it due to its potential security implications for both Europe and the Korean Peninsula.
Kursk as a symbol. Since Ukraine launched the Kursk offensive in August and captured a significant portion of initially poorly defended territory, Russian forces have attempted two counteroffensives to reclaim some of that land. However, fighting appears to have stalled in recent weeks due to winter weather, with minimal progress on either side. In this context, North Korea’s involvement offers Russia a potential numerical advantage, although this is limited by the troops’ lack of experience and effectiveness on the ground.
What’s abundantly clear now is that North Korea has fully entered the battlefield, marking a new chapter in the Russia-Ukraine war, with implications that go beyond the immediate conflict.
Image | Roman Harak | Dmitry Djouce
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