South Korean officials reveal disturbing details about North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
According to Daily Mail, at least 100 North Korean soldiers have been killed since entering combat in December 2024, while Russian forces allegedly burn the faces of fallen comrades to conceal their identities.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun shared intelligence reports indicating that casualties could reach nearly 1,000 injured troops. The deployment comes amid strengthened military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow following their landmark defense pact signed in June.
Mounting Death Toll Raises Concerns
The Khorne Group, linked to Ukrainian forces, released footage showing North Korean soldiers struggling against modern warfare tactics. Their footage captured dramatic scenes of troops appearing bewildered by Ukrainian FPV drones hovering above them. The group noted that these soldiers were employing outdated battlefield strategies reminiscent of those used during the Korean War seven decades ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared disturbing evidence of Russian forces attempting to hide North Korean casualties. His claims included footage of Russian soldiers burning the faces of deceased North Korean troops, along with implementing strict protocols to keep their presence secret during training.
The National Intelligence Service reported that the highest-ranking North Korean casualty was at least at the general level. These losses highlight the challenges faced by North Korean forces in adapting to modern combat scenarios, particularly in countering drone warfare.
Strategic Implications and Future Deployments
Despite significant losses, Kim Jong Un appears prepared to send additional troops westward. Intelligence reports suggest plans for training a new special operations force, potentially drawn from the elite Storm Corps, which provided the initial deployment.
The arrangement seems mutually beneficial, with Russia potentially offering to modernize North Korea's conventional weapons in exchange for continued military support. This cooperation marks a significant shift in military relations between the two nations since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation in Kyiv, described the Russian tactical approach with North Korean forces. As he explained:
The Russians' tactics in the Kursk direction are as follows - North Korean soldiers are being accumulated in the woodland and driven to storm narrow sections in several directions at the same time. Their losses are significant.
Current Status and International Response
North Korea has strongly rejected criticism from the United States and its allies regarding their military support for Russia. A foreign ministry spokesman denounced what Pyongyang calls "reckless provocation" by the U.S. and its partners, who issued a joint statement condemning North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
The situation has drawn increased international scrutiny, particularly concerning the treatment of North Korean casualties. Ukrainian officials continue to document evidence of Russian attempts to conceal these losses, raising questions about the true extent of North Korean involvement in the conflict.
Zelensky emphasized the futility of North Korean participation in the conflict, stating:
This is a demonstration of the contempt that now reigns in Russia – contempt for everything human. There is no reason for Koreans to fight and die for Putin. This madness must be stopped – stopped with a reliable and lasting peace and Russia's responsibility for this cynical war.
Complex Battlefield Reality
North Korean forces deployed to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine have suffered substantial casualties, with at least 100 confirmed deaths since December 2024. The situation is marked by reports of Russian forces burning the faces of deceased North Korean soldiers to hide their identities while Ukrainian forces document the struggles of North Korean troops against modern warfare tactics.
The ongoing deployment continues despite heavy losses, with Kim Jong Un reportedly preparing additional troops for combat. This development occurs within the framework of strengthened military ties between North Korea and Russia, though international criticism and documentation of casualties raise questions about the sustainability and ethical implications of this military cooperation.
