North Korean casualties deepen as Pyongyang aids Moscow war effort
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, North Korea has suffered its first losses in Russia. Moscow's ally has already lost about 200 soldiers.
North Korea, whose soldiers are supporting Russian forces in the Kursk region, has experienced its first losses. As reported by Ukrainian intelligence, approximately 200 North Korean soldiers were killed as a result of kamikaze drone (FPV) attacks carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Russians have begun using the support of Korean soldiers in assault operations in the Kursk region. Now, Ukrainian intelligence reports that North Korea has already suffered its first losses as a result. The support of the Russians is used in the marine infantry units and airborne forces of the Russian Armed Forces.
"As of December 14 at 7:00 AM Eastern Time, the losses for units with North Korean personnel amount to about 200 soldiers," the statement reads. Intelligence also adds that a barrier to conducting joint military operations for the Koreans is the language barrier. This hinders the coordination of actions in deploying troops on the front.
The Ukrainians point out that due to communication difficulties between soldiers from Russia and North Korea, there has recently been "friendly fire" against the Russians, resulting in the death of eight soldiers. In addition, soldiers from Korea are deprived of phones and all electronic devices to hinder Ukrainian intelligence from collecting valuable information.
According to Michael Kofman, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, North Korea has become a direct party in the war. It is Russia's largest supplier of ammunition. Furthermore, Moscow's ally supports the aggressor's forces with armoured weaponry and manpower, deploying over 10,000 soldiers.
In addition to the soldiers sent to Russia from Korea, Pyongyang supported Moscow with unconventional equipment. The list of weapons sent includes, among others, M1989 "Koksan" artillery systems, which are self-propelled constructions with a 170-mm calibre cannon. These are among the most powerful machines remaining in North Korea's arsenal, allowing targets to be hit at a distance of up to 60 kilometres.
