Reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and intelligence from Ukraine and South Korea

12,000 North Korean Troops in Russia Could Be Wiped Out by April Amid Ukraine War

Jan 19, 2025, 08:39 AM

Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region to support its war effort against Ukraine. Reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimate that, due to high casualty rates, the entire contingent could be killed or injured by mid-April 2025. North Korean forces have suffered significant losses, with estimates suggesting 92 casualties per day since December 2024. Ukrainian intelligence reports that 3,800 North Korean soldiers have already been killed or wounded, while South Korean intelligence estimates 300 killed and 2,700 wounded. Captured North Korean soldiers, including Lee Jong-nam, have revealed details of their deployment, such as indoctrination tactics and their use as frontline combatants despite being initially tasked with logistics. The soldiers are reportedly poorly equipped and unfamiliar with the terrain, making them vulnerable to Ukrainian drone strikes. Additionally, their extreme loyalty to Kim Jong Un is evident, with some reportedly choosing to self-destruct rather than be captured. Many soldiers were registered as being from Russia's Tuva region to obscure their origins. This deployment highlights the growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, with Pyongyang benefiting from combat experience and advanced military technology such as drones and torpedoes.