Russian losses in Kursk region exceed 20,000 troops - Ukraine's army chief
Illustrative photo (facebook.com/easternforce)
In nearly three months of the Ukrainian forces' operation in the Kursk region, Russia has lost over 20,000 personnel. 1,101 units of Russian weaponry and military equipment were destroyed, according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Oleksandr Syrskyi.
In May 2024, intelligence confirmed information about Russia's plans to launch an offensive in the Sumy direction from the Kursk region to establish a "buffer zone" in northern Ukraine. It was intended as a continuation of the enemy's operation in the Kharkiv direction.
"That is why it was decided to launch a preemptive offensive operation by shifting combat actions to enemy territory in the Kursk region," he added.
As of November 5, nearly three months into the operation, Russian losses in the Kursk direction amount to 20,842 personnel, including:
- 7,905 killed;
- 12,220 wounded;
- 717 captured.
The AFU also destroyed 1,101 units of Russian weaponry and equipment, including:
- 54 tanks;
- 276 armored fighting vehicles;
- 107 artillery pieces and mortars;
- 5 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS);
- 659 vehicles.
"Russia is now eager for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from this area. The enemy has concentrated around 45,000 troops there and is attempting to increase their numbers. Russia lacks sufficient forces in this direction and is thus trying to bring in military personnel from North Korea," Syrskyi said.
North Korean military in the Kursk region
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence reported that around 12,000 North Korean soldiers had already been transferred to Russia, with some observed in the Kursk region.
On November 4, the US State Department also said that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been documented in the Kursk region and might soon be involved in combat operations.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 11,000 North Korean soldiers were already present in the Kursk region.
On November 4, reports emerged that North Korean soldiers had come under fire in the Kursk region, although details of the attack's outcome are currently unavailable.
