‘Several Hundred’ North Korean Casualties in Russia’s Kursk – U.S. Official

5 days ago 2

North Korean forces have suffered "several hundred" casualties fighting against Ukrainian troops in Russia's Kursk region, a senior U.S. military official said Tuesday.

Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to reinforce Russia's war effort, including to the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces seized territory earlier this year.

"Several hundred casualties is our latest estimate that the DPRK has suffered," the official said on condition of anonymity, using an abbreviation for North Korea's official name.

This "would include everything from... light wounds up to being KIA [killed in action]," the official said, with soldiers of "all ranks" among the casualties.

"These are not battle-hardened troops. They haven't been in combat before," the official said, adding that this was likely contributing to "why they have been suffering the casualties that they have at the hands of the Ukrainians."

The official's comments on casualties came after Ukraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Russia has used North Korean troops at the heart of an "intensive offensive" in Kursk over several days.

North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow signed in June came into force earlier this month.

Experts say the nuclear-armed North's leader, Kim Jong Un, is keen to acquire advanced technology from Russia and battle experience for his troops.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been a key supporter of Kyiv and has been rushing to provide it with billions of dollars in already authorized aid before President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month.

Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. assistance for Ukraine and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours — comments that have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of U.S. aid under his administration.

A senior defense official said Tuesday that not all of the remaining $5.6 billion that can be drawn from U.S. stocks may be used in time.

"I would certainly anticipate that... there could be remaining authority that would transition and be available for the next administration to use," the official said on condition of anonymity.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Continue

paiment methods