Ukraine claims that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk region suffered significant casualties during intense weekend clashes. According to Ukraine’s defense intelligence service, the confrontations took place near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka, which lie close to the Ukrainian border.
Reports indicate that around 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in the battles, with three others reportedly missing. The Ukrainian defense service stated that North Korean units have been active in Kursk since last month, engaging in direct combat against Ukrainian forces.
A Ukrainian frontline drone unit released video footage allegedly showing the bodies of over 20 North Korean soldiers lined up in a snow-covered field. The video’s quality was not sufficient to confirm their identities, but Ukrainian military analysts believe these casualties are part of the larger toll suffered by North Korean forces in the region.
Additional drone footage geolocated near Plekhovo shows soldiers retreating while pulling casualties on sleds. However, it is unclear whether these troops were North Korean or Russian. Ukrainian military sources have noted that North Korean soldiers can be identified by their uniforms, which differ from those worn by Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously revealed that North Korean troops were deployed to Kursk and had participated in combat operations. Since December, North Korean forces have reportedly played a more prominent role on the front lines, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops are currently in the Kursk region.
The fighting in Plekhovo is part of a broader effort by Russian units to reclaim territory that was taken by Ukrainian forces during an offensive in August. According to Ukrainian reports, Russian forces have been attempting to push Ukrainian units back toward the border, which is roughly four kilometers (2.5 miles) away from the area of conflict.
Ukrainian military blogger Yuriy Butusov described the weekend clashes as a “major assault” that was ultimately repelled. He reported that North Korean infantry launched aggressive attacks, backed by heavy fire support from Russian artillery and the use of electronic warfare to disrupt Ukrainian drone surveillance.
“Despite the losses, the enemy assault groups continued to advance, never stopping even under precision fire and shelling,” Butusov stated. He highlighted the unusual tactics used by North Korean soldiers, noting that they exhibited “fast movement, strong physical endurance, and a disregard for their own casualties.” Butusov also commented that there was no sign of evacuation for wounded or dead soldiers during the attack.
Ukrainian forces reportedly launched several counterattacks to regain their positions, though it remains unclear which side now controls the village of Plekhovo. Ukrainian commanders acknowledged that fighting in the region remains one of the most intense battles in the ongoing conflict.
The deployment of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian forces marks a notable development in the ongoing war. The use of foreign troops on Russian soil underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict and raises questions about the broader international implications of North Korea’s involvement in support of Moscow’s military objectives.
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