According to a recent report from the United Kingdom's defense intelligence, North Korea has suffered significant losses, exceeding 6,000 casualties, during offensive operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The report, dated June 15th, highlights the concerning scale of North Korean involvement in the conflict.
The UK intelligence estimates that these casualties represent over half of the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops initially deployed to Kursk Oblast in the fall of 2024. This high casualty rate is attributed to large-scale, highly attritional infantry assaults, suggesting a brutal and costly strategy.
Key Findings from UK Intelligence:
- Significant Losses: Over 6,000 North Korean casualties in Kursk Oblast.
- High Attrition Warfare: Losses are likely due to large, attritional infantry assaults.
- Deployment Size: Approximately 11,000 North Korean troops were initially deployed.
- Continuing Engagement: North Korean operations are currently limited to the Kursk Oblast operational zone.
The report also notes the visit of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to North Korea. UK Defence Intelligence believes Shoigu is likely the Kremlin’s lead negotiator for securing military support from Pyongyang for the war against Ukraine. This visit underscores the growing military alliance between Russia and North Korea, with Pyongyang supplying Moscow with manpower and potentially other resources.
Conflicting Casualty Figures
It's worth noting that casualty figures have varied across different sources. Earlier this year, South Korean intelligence suggested lower casualty numbers. Ukrainian officials have also provided varying estimates. These discrepancies highlight the difficulty in accurately assessing battlefield losses in a dynamic and complex conflict.
The situation remains fluid, and any expansion of North Korean operations beyond Russian territory would require the agreement of both Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, concerned about the implications of North Korea's deepening involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.