Official government announcements from Russia or North Korea; major international news outlets

Over 1,000 North Korean Soldiers Killed or Wounded in Ukraine's Kursk Region, Used as 'Expendable' Troops

Dec 28, 2024, 08:30 AM

More than 1,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to fight against Ukraine have been killed or wounded in the Kursk region over the past week, according to the White House. John Kirby, a National Security Council spokesperson, stated that these soldiers were used in 'hopeless' attacks, treated as 'expendable' by both Russian and North Korean military leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the North Korean troops were sent into battle with minimal protection, resulting in significant losses. He also mentioned that some North Korean soldiers taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces died from their injuries. The deployment of North Korean troops, numbering around 12,000, marks a notable escalation in the conflict, with reports indicating that they are being used as 'cannon fodder' in 'human wave attacks' against Ukrainian defenses. Some soldiers were even executed to avoid capture.