Thousands of North Korean soldiers are still fighting in the Kursk region, according to Budanov.

Approximately eight thousand North Korean soldiers are still engaged in combat in the Kursk region of Russia, stated the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, as reported by The War Zone.

According to him, the activity of the North Korean military has decreased in recent days due to heavy losses. However, he noted that media reports claiming these troops have not been seen on the front lines for several weeks are "incorrect."

"We need to wait some time to see if there are real changes or if this is just a temporary decrease in activity," Budanov said.

As per the GUR chief, North Korean forces have lost about 4,000 soldiers, including those killed and wounded. Budanov attributed these losses to "a lack of real combat experience" and the implementation of so-called "meat waves." The North Koreans are advancing "virtually without any combat equipment," he stated. At the same time, Budanov suggested that the reason they are so eager to advance on foot against Ukrainian drones and artillery is their loyalty to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

"Although the activity of North Korean troops in Kursk may have slowed down in recent days, Budanov reiterated a claim he made last week that Pyongyang will send additional artillery and missile troops, as well as more artillery and multiple launch rocket systems to Russia. These troops will not engage in ground combat," the publication states.

North Korean Soldiers Have "Disappeared" from the Front - Reported

Recall that The New York Times, citing Ukrainian and American officials, reported that North Korean soldiers have not been seen on the front lines for about two weeks.

Later, this information was confirmed by the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

"The Special Operations Forces speak exclusively for the directions where our units are deployed, and in this regard, we report that the presence of North Korean troops has not been observed for approximately three weeks; likely, having sustained significant losses, they were forced to withdraw."

The Chairman of the Reserve Council of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ivan Timochko, expressed the opinion that if North Korean troops have been withdrawn from the front line, they are likely passing on their experience to other soldiers.