North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in western Russia’s Kursk region have sustained significant casualties, with around 200 troops killed or wounded during recent battles, according to the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. The center reported that the losses occurred last weekend during infantry assaults on Ukrainian positions.
According to a popular Ukrainian Telegram account, the 8th SSO Regiment killed 50 North Korean soldiers and wounded 47 more in Kurshchyna over three days. Videos show Ukrainian FPV (first-person-view) drone strikes, some adorned with Christmas-themed decorations, causing dozens of casualties.
EXCLUSIVE 🚨 – Footage of Ukrainian 8th SSO FPV drone strikes on allegedly North Korean infantry in Kursk area. The Christmas decorations can be seen attached on the Ukrainian drones.#Ukraine #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar️ #NorthKorea #NorthKoreans #military #Airdrop #war #warfare… pic.twitter.com/PZZ5Ztt2xo
— OSINT Wartec (@OSINTMilitia) December 17, 2024
8th SSO Regiment reportedly eliminated 50 North Korean soldiers and wounded 47 more over three days.
Videos show Ukrainian kamikaze drones adorned with Christmas-themed decorations. pic.twitter.com/KgkcruImSf— Noah (@noahnomore1) December 19, 2024
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) also claimed to have intercepted a phone call in which a nurse near Moscow reported that over 200 wounded North Korean soldiers had been brought to Russian hospitals within two days.
Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of attempting to hide the extent of North Korean casualties by burning the faces of deceased soldiers to obscure their identities. Zelensky condemned the tactic as evidence of Russia’s disregard for human life.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that North Korean forces have suffered significant losses, though exact numbers were not disclosed. U.S. estimates suggest that North Korea had deployed 10,000 to 12,000 troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war.
The GUR reported that North Korean units are now implementing additional security measures, such as establishing observation posts and moving in smaller groups to avoid detection. Despite their presence, Russia continues to face difficulties in sustaining its offensive momentum against well-prepared Ukrainian defenses in Kursk.
