Ukrainian President Zelenskiy Reports High Casualties Among North Korean Troops in Kursk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stated that North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia’s Kursk region are enduring significant battlefield losses, with little to no protection provided by their Russian counterparts. In his nightly video address on Friday, Zelenskiy highlighted the dire situation, noting that the North Korean forces are being pushed into combat with inadequate safeguards.

“These losses are considerable,” Zelenskiy remarked, addressing the apparent lack of concern from both Russian and North Korean command for the soldiers’ survival. He further explained that there are measures in place preventing Ukrainian forces from capturing these troops, including instances of North Koreans being executed by their own side to avoid capture.

According to intelligence from both Ukrainian and Western sources, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops are stationed in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have maintained control over certain areas following an incursion in August. Earlier this week, Zelenskiy had reported that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers had either been killed or wounded in this conflict.

Zelenskiy also shared that while Ukrainian forces captured a few North Korean soldiers, their injuries were too severe for them to survive. He called upon neighboring nations, particularly China, to influence North Korea’s involvement, stating, “The Korean people should not be losing their lives in battles in Europe.” He suggested that if China is truly committed to preventing the expansion of the war, it should press Pyongyang to reconsider its military engagements.