Official statements from international organizations

North Korean Troops Suffer Hundreds of Casualties in First Engagement with Russian Forces in Kursk, 12,000 Deployed

Dec 17, 2024, 10:16 PM

North Korean troops have engaged in combat alongside Russian forces in Russia's Kursk region, marking their first confirmed engagement in the conflict. The Pentagon has reported that North Korean soldiers have suffered their first casualties, with estimates suggesting several hundred North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the fighting. The deployment of North Korean forces to Russia was confirmed by Western governments, with around 12,000 troops sent to support Russian military operations in largely infantry positions. The casualties include soldiers of all ranks, from lower-level troops to those near the top of the command structure. Ukrainian forces have been battling to hold an enclave in the Kursk region, where Russia has intensified its offensive, leveraging North Korean troops to push back Ukrainian forces.