North Korean Troops Enhance Russian Military Operations in Kursk
North Korean troops have been crucial in aiding Russian advances in the Kursk region against Ukrainian forces. Despite ambiguity about troop deployment, estimates suggest 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers are engaged. The conflict has seen significant casualties and indicates the strengthening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Recent reports indicate that North Korean troops are playing a crucial role in Russia’s military gains in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian officials had previously aimed to secure an advantage in negotiations. According to estimates from Ukraine and South Korea, between 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean servicemen were deployed to southern Russia to assist against Ukrainian forces, although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has officially confirmed this deployment. This development suggests a fortification of ties between Russia and North Korea amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In recent engagements, Russian and North Korean units have regained control of several villages in Kursk, a region marked by Ukrainian incursions since August. Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council reported that North Korean troops had been advancing in organized formations, aiming to reinforce Russia’s position in the area. He elaborated, “The enemy is pouring everything he can on the Kursk region. The [North] Korean troops are trying to storm … in columns, they’re actually running across fields.”
Yurii Butusov, editor of Censor.NET, detailed a specific encounter in which North Korean battalions attempted to sever Ukrainian forces’ bridgehead with a focused attack, though the operation reportedly resulted in significant casualties for the North Korean troops. South Korea’s intelligence service, for instance, estimated that around 300 North Korean soldiers have died and 2,700 have been injured since their activation in this conflict, although these figures remain unverified by Newsweek.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pointed to North Korean soldiers being reintegrated into Russian forces for renewed offensives in Kursk, amid earlier claims that Pyongyang had withdrawn its troops due to heavy losses. Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser, suggested that the renewed conflict in Kursk could enhance Ukraine’s negotiating power in ongoing discussions with Russian representatives.
In light of the present circumstances, it is anticipated that relations between Pyongyang and Moscow will further solidify as the war progresses, especially given that both nations face isolation due to Western sanctions.
Isabel van Brugen, a Newsweek reporter with a focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, filed this report, delivering insights backed by her previous journalistic experience and academic background in journalism and Russian studies.
In summary, North Korean troops have become a significant asset to Russia’s military efforts in the Kursk region, contributing to recent territorial gains. As both nations confront Western sanctions, their alliance appears set to strengthen further amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the situation continues to evolve as Ukraine seeks to leverage dynamics in the region for potential negotiations.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
