North Korea has dispatched its elite troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. However, after several months of heavy losses, they were withdrawn from the front lines. According to The New York Times, citing Ukrainian and American officials, North Korean soldiers have not been seen on the battlefield for about two weeks.
As reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the number of North Korean troops has halved within just three months. Ukrainian fighters who faced the North Koreans describe them as fierce warriors. However, disorganization among their ranks and a lack of coordination with Russian units quickly led to an increase in casualties.
"According to Ukrainian officials and military personnel, since their arrival on the battlefield, North Korean soldiers have been left to their own devices, advancing with limited armored vehicles and rarely stopping to regroup or retreat," writes NYT.
At the same time, American officials stated that the decision to withdraw North Korean troops from the front line may not be permanent:
"They suggested that it is possible the North Koreans could return after undergoing additional training or once the Russians devise new methods for their deployment to avoid such significant losses."
The publication notes that Kim Jong-un likely has his own motives for assisting Russia in Kursk. According to American officials, he hopes that in the future, Putin will repay him by providing support for North Korea's missile programs and diplomatic backing at the UN.
North Korean Soldiers in Ukraine
Earlier, some Western media reported that North Korea may send additional forces to support Russia. It is noted that this could occur against the backdrop of significant losses among North Korean troops in the Kursk region.
It was also reported that North Korea plans to transfer more than 100 artillery systems to Russia for use on the front lines. These systems were originally designed for the destruction of South Korean forces.