Asger Risom
North Korean soldiers deployed by Russia in the Kursk region are suffering massive casualties, with over 6,000 killed or injured. British officials say Kim’s forces are being used as expendable “human mass.”
North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine are taking staggering losses, according to a new intelligence update from the UK Ministry of Defence.
Over 6,000 North Koreans have been killed or injured in combat operations in Russia’s Kursk region — a figure representing half the initial deployment.
“Human Mass” Strategy Behind the Death Toll
British intelligence attributes the high casualty count to Russia’s use of North Korean troops as “cannon fodder.”
These soldiers are reportedly being deployed in waves to exhaust Ukrainian defenders through sheer numbers, rather than strategic advantage.
The assessment suggests that Kim Jong-un’s forces are not only ill-equipped, but also being treated as disposable manpower in Russia’s broader war effort.
Ukraine has maintained a presence in the Kursk region since August of last year and has stepped up drone attacks in recent weeks.
Shoigu’s Second Visit Signals Deepening Ties
Russia’s military reliance on North Korea appears to be growing.
On June 4, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu made his second trip to Pyongyang in under three months, meeting once again with Kim Jong-un. The UK defence ministry believes Shoigu is acting as Moscow’s main envoy in securing North Korean support.
Just a day after the visit, North Korean state media reported that Kim had pledged “unconditional” backing for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
However, the extent of that support, and its cost in human lives, is now being laid bare.
As losses mount, the UK warns that North Korea’s deepening involvement could lead to more direct engagement, depending on decisions made at the highest levels by Kim and Putin, as reported by Wirtualna Polska.