Ukrainian special forces claim that North Korean soldiers have not been present on the front lines in the Kursk region for the last three weeks, suggesting a possible retreat due to heavy losses.
Ukrainian Forces Report North Korean Withdrawals from Front Lines
Ukrainian Forces Report North Korean Withdrawals from Front Lines
Reports indicate North Korean troops may have pulled back from combat within Ukraine amid significant casualties.
Ukrainian special forces operating in Russia's western Kursk region recently revealed to the BBC that they have not encountered North Korean troops for three weeks, leading to speculation about a possible withdrawal. A representative indicated that heavy losses, including reports that at least 1,000 of the approximate 11,000 North Korean troops sent to support Russia have been killed in just three months, may be the reason for this absence. Neither North Korea nor Russia has officially commented on the matter.
The spokesman specified his comments pertained only to the battles occurring in the Kursk area, with no clarification on the status of the broader frontline. Reports from the New York Times echoed these claims, citing US officials who mentioned that any withdrawal might not be permanent, as these forces could return following additional training or strategic adjustments by the Russians to mitigate heavy casualties.
Intelligence assessments from South Korea suggest that North Korean troops are not fully prepared for modern combat scenarios and are particularly vulnerable to Ukrainian drone strikes. The two nations have recently intensified their mutual ties, seen through the signing of a security and defense treaty led by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang is currently providing significant amounts of ammunition and weaponry to assist Moscow.
Recent offensives by elite Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region had seen rapid territorial gains, disrupting Russian control over certain areas. Nevertheless, Moscow has managed to reclaim parts of the territory that were previously seized. Ukraine now focuses on securing the areas it occupies in Kursk, which may be strategically beneficial in any potential peace negotiations with Russia following the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022.
