North Korean troops have been absent from the frontlines in Russia's Kursk region for several weeks, as reported by a Ukrainian military official. It is believed that the troops were forced to withdraw due to heavy losses sustained in combat.
Reports indicate that some North Korean units have been pulled back after suffering significant casualties, with around 4,000 troops reported killed or injured out of the 12,000 initially deployed to Russia.
The North Korean soldiers were sent to Kursk to repel Ukraine's incursion in the southern Russian border region. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the presence of 60,000 Russian troops and 12,000 North Koreans in the area, with one-third of the North Korean troops reportedly killed.
North Korean soldiers have been noted for their brutal tactics, including detonating grenades rather than being captured. Despite their training, they have faced challenges in combat, particularly against drones.
Russia has utilized the North Korean troops in mass ground assaults, resulting in major losses in Kursk. However, Ukraine has made advancements in the region, according to a recent battlefield update.
The presence of North Korean troops in Russia has not been officially acknowledged by Moscow or Pyongyang. The deployment follows a defense pact signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pledging mutual military assistance in case of an attack.
This landmark agreement marks a significant development in the relationship between Russia and North Korea, reminiscent of their Cold War-era mutual defense pledge from 1961.
