North Korea lost 2,000 troops in Russia's war against Ukraine
Photo: North Korea is preparing to send several thousand more troops to war (Getty Images)
South Korean intelligence has reported the deaths of nearly 2,000 North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine. Pyongyang may soon send another batch of soldiers to help Russia, Yonhap reports.
North Korea may send an additional 6,000 soldiers to Russia as part of the third batch of troops deployed to assist in the war against Ukraine.
Since October last year, North Korea has sent about 13,000 soldiers and weapons to support Russia's military efforts.
The North Korean authorities are actively cooperating with the Kremlin, particularly in the military sphere. In the summer of 2024, the countries signed an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership, and in the fall, information emerged that North Korea had transferred military personnel to Russia—15,000 soldiers were sent to the Kursk direction.
In this regard, Seoul's intelligence reported that North Korea had lost about 4,700 fighters in the Kursk direction, 600 of whom were considered dead.
In exchange for sending troops and supplying weapons to Russia, North Korea receives assistance from Moscow in the form of spy satellites, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles.
Initially, Russia ignored reports of the presence of North Korean troops on the front lines, even after the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured 2 North Korean soldiers.
However, the Russian Ministry of Defense recently acknowledged for the first time the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine.
