Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed the initial official casualties among North Korean soldiers engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In an interview with Japanese media outlet Kyodo News, Zelensky disclosed that these troops were stationed in western Russia, where fierce battles have intensified following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region in August.
While the president refrained from sharing the exact number of North Korean military deaths, he did indicate that around 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to fight alongside Russian forces. Zelensky emphasized that the Ukrainian government is currently in the process of collecting evidence before providing an official casualty count.
He forecasted that as the war progresses into what he described as a “difficult period,” the number of foreign troops supporting Russia could continue to rise. Reports about North Korean military casualties began circulating in October when South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun informed lawmakers that six North Korean officers were killed in a missile attack launched by Ukrainian forces near Donetsk.
North Korea’s involvement in the conflict became evident as early as July, following the establishment of a mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow. This treaty stipulates that both countries are obligated to assist each other in the event of an attack. In light of the Ukraine conflict, it appears that Russia is benefiting significantly from this alliance, as North Korean troops are allegedly being deployed as “cannon fodder.” This term refers to soldiers considered expendable, often sent into perilous combat situations where heavy casualties are expected.
According to sources, North Korean forces are being positioned in some of the most perilous frontline areas, thereby relieving Russian troops from direct engagement in intense combat. Despite being thrust into such dangerous roles, reports indicate that North Korean soldiers receive only a few weeks of training aimed at orienting them to the Ukrainian terrain and military tactics.
