Official government statements or international media reports

Pentagon Confirms North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk Offensive

Dec 17, 2024, 07:17 PM

North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia's Kursk region have suffered significant casualties, including at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded, according to reports from Ukrainian military intelligence. Ukrainian forces released images and videos purportedly showing the bodies of North Korean soldiers following assaults in the Kursk region. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that North Korean troops have engaged in combat for the first time alongside Russian forces in Kursk and have suffered significant losses, both killed and wounded. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces reported killing 50 North Korean soldiers and wounding 47 more over three days. Over 100 injured North Korean soldiers have been hospitalized in Kursk's city emergency clinical hospital, with separate accommodations provided for them. North Korean troops are said to have joined combat operations to support Russia's intensified counter-offensive in the Kursk region as the Kremlin seeks to regain control of lost territory.