Official announcements from Russian or North Korean governments, or credible international news agencies

Zelensky Confirms North Korean Troops Engaged in Russian Assaults in Kursk Region, Resulting in 200 Casualties and 8 Chechen Deaths

Dec 14, 2024, 05:34 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Russian forces have begun deploying a significant number of North Korean troops in assaults in the Kursk region. This marks the first large-scale involvement of North Korean soldiers in the ongoing conflict, as reported on December 14, 2024. Zelensky indicated that these troops are being integrated into combined units and are actively participating in operations aimed at driving Ukrainian forces out of the area. Preliminary data suggests that North Korean units have already sustained notable casualties, with reports indicating approximately 200 North Korean soldiers either killed or injured in combat. Furthermore, there have been incidents of friendly fire involving North Korean troops, resulting in the deaths of eight Chechen soldiers from the Akhmat unit. Zelensky emphasized that the deployment of North Korean troops represents a new escalation in the conflict, with potential implications for other fronts in the war.