Ukraine reports Russia and North Korea's losses over six months of Kursk operation
Photo: Ukraine`s General Staff revealed how many troops Russia lost in the six months of the Kursk operation (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian Defense Forces' Kursk operation has been ongoing for six months. During this time, Russia has lost 40,000 soldiers, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
The operation in Russia's Kursk region began on August 6, 2024. The General Staff emphasized that for the first time in 11 years of war, combat operations were transferred to Russian territory. Ukrainian forces continue to hold hundreds of square kilometers of a "buffer zone" in Russia.
"The Kursk offensive operation aimed to prevent a new enemy offensive in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Even six months later, this operation continues to serve that purpose. It forced Russian occupiers to redeploy significant resources to the Kursk region, weakening their positions on other fronts," the statement says.
The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that North Korea had sent 12,000 troops to the Kursk region. North Korean losses amount to 4,000 soldiers. Out of three nominal brigades from North Korea, one has been effectively destroyed, and two have lost combat effectiveness.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed media reports that North Korean units have been withdrawn from the front line.
Russian losses over six months of Kursk operation:
- 39,900 personnel, including approximately 16,100 killed;
- 131 tanks;
- 689 armored fighting vehicles;
- 386 artillery systems;
- 12 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS);
- 12 air defense systems;
- 1 aircraft;
- 3 helicopters;
- 931 operational-tactical drones;
- 1,164 pieces of automotive equipment;
- 34 units of specialized equipment.
During the operation, Ukrainian forces captured 909 Russian soldiers, significantly bolstering the prisoner exchange pool, which enabled the return of hundreds of Ukrainian defenders from Russian captivity.
"The Kursk offensive operation remains an example of sudden, asymmetric, and successful actions by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, allowing them to inflict significant losses on a superior enemy and seize battlefield initiative," added the General Staff.
Kursk operation by Ukrainian forces
In the summer of 2024, after the operation began, the Defense Forces took control of about a hundred settlements in the Kursk region. Due to Russian counteroffensives, Ukrainian forces lost some territory, but active combat continues
Moscow also involved North Korea in the fighting in the Kursk region. At the same time, the Ukrainian military managed to capture two North Korean soldiers.
Western media reported that after heavy losses, the North Korean forces were withdrawn from the front line. However, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine head Kyrylo Budanov denied this information.
